5 week old chicken panting in 97° weather?

[Emily_loveschickens]

Hi, I have four or five week old chicks which of three of them seemed like they were panting. it did get pretty hot today but now they are fine with shade and freshwater. do you have any suggestions on what to do the next time they’re panting or why they panted? thanks.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Hi, I have four or five week old chicks which of three of them seemed like they were panting. it did get pretty hot today but now they are fine with shade and freshwater. do you have any suggestions on what to do the next time they’re panting or why they panted? thanks.

They were just hot. Panting is one way they try to cool their body's.

Shade, & cool water are the right things.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Most likely, they panted because its hot. Chickens have down jackets and can not sweat. They tolerate cold FAR better than we do, but don't do so well in heat. Panting is one of the ways they deal with temps in the 90s. You may also see them holding wings out to try and increase surface area, heading for shade, digging into, then bedding down in the dirt (cooler than the surrounding air - potentially MUCH cooler than the surrounding air), and generally being less active.