Are my chickens overheating?

[curlyhairedwhit]

I have 8 young chickens in a large pen with a 10 foot by 8 foot shaded shelter. There is a small kiddie swimming pool, a smaller water trough (mainly for my mini pig that also resides in the pen) and a 5 gallon waterer. I live in Florida and we are under a heatwave... the temperature has been in the 90's with 100% humidity and the real feel has been 105+. They just lay on the ground with their wings spread out and pant. Does any one else do anything extra for there pets? Or should they be okay?

 

[WalnutHill]

What breed are they? Meat birds heat stress even more than light breeds.

Many in hot climates freeze milk jugs full of water and use them as chillers.

Breezes help, whether from a fan or natural.

 

[curlyhairedwhit]

There are 4 brahamas, 1 buff orpinton, 1 buck eye, 1 frizzle bantam and 1 golden comet. Theydo walk around too... My mom just has got me worried about them having a heat stroke

 

[WalnutHill]

If you have a garden sprinkler they can play in, it can help cool them. Mine love to play in the water and mud on hot days. Others just love the heat and stay out in the sun and cook.

 

[SilkieNation]

There are some great ideas on this site - just do a search. I freeze half gallon bottles of water and place them in a shaded area where they hang out - but I only have a small flock - this wouldn't work with lots of birds.