3 1/2 month chicken walking around with mouth open

[LoreenH]

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Our summer has been pretty mild this year, hasn't it. My girls have been panting and walking around with their wings out too. Last night I ran the sprinkler in the area of the yard where they hang out during the day so the ground will be damp and maybe a bit cooler for them. They are locked in the coop at night but have the run of the whole backyard during the day.

I just noticed you said the one doing it the most is black, 5 of my 6 are dark in color and they pant way more than my golden EE. I'm sure it's partly because of color. When my black & white cat lays in the sun the black part of his coat gets hot but the white part stays cool.

 

[srfjeld]

Thank you for the recommendations. I know it's a joke to call what we've been having a "heatwave." But it's pretty dern hot for us.

I have been giving my girls some watermelon, misted them and their run... mostly their run to keep it damp, and wet the grass in the yard. I noticed when their feet are wet they seem cooler.

I agree about the black feathers making them hotter. I haven't seen my buff pant at all. I'm a first time chicken owner so I tend to freak out about every little thing. I suppose it's like parenting your first child. I'm getting better though.

 

[2hot2chicken]

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I live in Beaverton and my girls are doing the same, panting from the heat and humidity weve been having.
I use a pan of cool water and also they really seem to enjoy Big ice cubes in their water container, they will drink the ice water before they drink warm water and they drink a lot of it at a time.
I give them watermelon but am worried to much and they will get the chicken runns

I give them a variety of frozen treats to. Mine LOVE frozen peas or mixed veggies and frozen grapes cut up.

Also tho they have shade from trees for most of the day except early morning, I still let mine out of their run to free range in the afternoon and I wet down an area of grass under a bush for them. They love to eat the wet grass and lay in it to. If this is a possibility for you.

 

[srfjeld]

2hot2chicken, thank you for writing. I will have to try the cool pan of water in their run. I let my girls out in the evenings, too. That's when I'm out there watering the garden. They tend to stay away from the stream of water, but I notice they love going back to the wet patches when I'm done. With how dry everything is now, I'm sure they love the jucier weed and grass.

I'll have to try the frozen fruits and veggies. They're only about 4 months old so they're still trying to decide what they do and don't like. The watermelon wasn't a big hit with them, but it sure is with me! lol!

 

[2hot2chicken]

Next Im thinking about buying a couple of jars of baby food and
pouring it into an ice tray and freezing that for them to peck at when it is hot........
Spoiled......

 

[LoreenH]

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And people think MY girls are spoiled.

 

[crazy4spurs]

We are going thru some really hot weather rite now....supposed to be 105 today and up to 109 tomorrow....I have a mister going in their run....a fan going in their ventilated coop....I have been taking cold cut up apples and I am about to take them an ice cold watermelon....spoiled girls, but I love them and hate to see them so hot....Besides...my hubby wont let me bring them in the house...what a meanie butt

 

[lizmcd]

I'm in Florida and its miserable right now. Temps are are around 100 degree and with the heat index and humidity it feels like 110. My girls walk around constantly with their mouths open and wings a little away from their body. Their is really nothing we can do for them but make sure they have real shade not artificial shade its not the same and lots of water. I let my girls out early in the morning because it is just to hot to be all cooped up. After all they are chickens and they have learned to adapt to the climate they live in. Now my poor puppies on the other hand I truly feel sorry for.