100 plus degrees

[Milagra]

Hello everyone. Have read a lot of articles on heat. But just wanted to ask about the panting. We have been very humid and only in the 80's lately and the hens are panting and have their wings a little out from body. Everything I read states panting is a cause for concern. Our temps in summer can reach over 110 and stay their for days. I am really concerned since they have been panting in just the 80's. They have plenty of shade they have found a spot out my back door they love shade and large gravel to lay in and on. I will be hosing everything down to cool once we start the high temps and do the frozen water fruits etc also will put a pan or container of water. Could I use a spray bottle and mist them with this also. Anything else I might do? Thank you in advance for any information you can provide me

T

 

[OrganicFarmWife]

It is probably the humidity that is making them the mist uncomfortable. Also animals, like us take time to adjust to changing temperatures.
There are some breeds that do better in hot climate s then others, so check to make sure yours are suited for your environment.
Otherwise yes, give them lots of shade, plenty of fresh air, and ice treats sound like a fantastic idea.

 

[realsis]

I live in a area that gets well above 100 degrees. It's not uncommon for it to reach 110-115. I went online to Amazon and bought a heavy duty 100% UV resistant shade cloth. This is woven and can also be wet down. I put it on the sun exposed side of the run. Running from roof to ground. So my first defence is the shade cloth, then my second defense is a wet shade cloth. If it's still too hot I bought a simple large box fan that I will plug in and run on my girls. Ice water, cool melon is a nice treat but if it's sweltering hot, electrolytes in water will help with heat stress. Not to be used for a long period of time however. If it's still sweltering and I've done all the above and birds are still showing signs of being too hot, I will actually take water on my hands and dampen the birds down. The shade cloth makes a HUGE difference. The cloths have different UV ratings so pay attention to that. Hope this helps. Good luck.

 

[ladynewtochicks]

I live in a area that gets well above 100 degrees. It's not uncommon for it to reach 110-115. I went online to Amazon and bought a heavy duty 100% UV resistant shade cloth. This is woven and can also be wet down. I put it on the sun exposed side of the run. Running from roof to ground. So my first defence is the shade cloth, then my second defense is a wet shade cloth. If it's still too hot I bought a simple large box fan that I will plug in and run on my girls. Ice water, cool melon is a nice treat but if it's sweltering hot, electrolytes in water will help with heat stress. Not to be used for a long period of time however. If it's still sweltering and I've done all the above and birds are still showing signs of being too hot, I will actually take water on my hands and dampen the birds down. The shade cloth makes a HUGE difference. The cloths have different UV ratings so pay attention to that. Hope this helps. Good luck.

I hadn't even thought of using one of those! Brilliant! I live in MT so most people think of cold but it can get wicked hot in the summer.