Bielfelder

[clayboy]

I have 8 bielfelders, one is a roo. they are 14 weeks old. They spend most of the day in the coop, coming out early in morning for an hour or two and a couple of more times during the day for about 30 minutes They will come out later in the evening for a couple of hours. During the day they can be seen panting. they have plenty of water and a lot of shade. Temps have been low 90's for past few days with high humidity. Is this normal. They seem healthy and very active when out of the coop. another concern is that they are not roosting at night. they all bunch up together in a corner of the coop.

 

[FeatheredFriends&Horses2]

My younger birds did this for a while too. First, make sure they can get up onto the roost. If they can, I know it's a hassle, but try placing them each on the roost when you check on them at night. I did this for a week or two with my chicks, and it seemed to solve the problem.

 

[springvalley123]

With temps in the 90s and high humidity, and panting, it sounds like they need more than water and shade. Are you in Florida, or somewhere like that (I didn't see it in your profile unless I didn't check it correctly)? I'm in Arizona, where it's a dry heat. I'd make sure the water is cool, not warm. I add ice to my water when it gets warm out. Also, consider a fan, unless you have strong breezes flowing through your run and coop. I'd consider redesigning the coop to have one side open (the side with the least prevalent winter winds probably). Also the birds could use cool places to hang out. Some people in hot climates put clay bricks in a shallow mixing tub of water, filled halfway up the bricks. The birds don't get wet, but the evaporating water cools the birds. I saw someone from Phoenix with a video of that, and it appeared to work! The birds could even be hanging out in the floor trying to cool off, rather than roosting, due to their discomfort in the heat. Some people use a/c, others use misting, but over misting can cause respiratory and parasite problems also. Best of luck cooling the birds off!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Chickens are pretty heat sensitive. Mine can start panting as low as 85 degrees. On hotter days I offer them foot baths (planter saucers with water) so they can soak their feet and cool off a little that way.

 

[clayboy]

With temps in the 90s and high humidity, and panting, it sounds like they need more than water and shade. Are you in Florida, or somewhere like that (I didn't see it in your profile unless I didn't check it correctly)? I'm in Arizona, where it's a dry heat. I'd make sure the water is cool, not warm. I add ice to my water when it gets warm out. Also, consider a fan, unless you have strong breezes flowing through your run and coop. I'd consider redesigning the coop to have one side open (the side with the least prevalent winter winds probably). Also the birds could use cool places to hang out. Some people in hot climates put clay bricks in a shallow mixing tub of water, filled halfway up the bricks. The birds don't get wet, but the evaporating water cools the birds. I saw someone from Phoenix with a video of that, and it appeared to work! The birds could even be hanging out in the floor trying to cool off, rather than roosting, due to their discomfort in the heat. Some people use a/c, others use misting, but over misting can cause respiratory and parasite problems also. Best of luck cooling the birds off!

I'm in S. Louisiana.

 

[BamburghFarms]

When you see them panting like that use a misting attachments to your garden hose and lightly mist everyone. I call mine to the patio for food and treats and while they are enjoying some snacks I gently mist everyone. They really enjoy it and it’s stops the panting immediately. Be so careful with the heat. I lost three of my most loved laying hens to the first heat of the summer here in Ohio bc of a new coop that I had only had so far through the cold months and it was gut wrenching. I felt horrific about it. Box fans in the coop if it’s got electricity is a great option. If you aren’t bothered about water consumption and neither is your town (I live in the boondocks lol) a very fine misting sprinkler set on a timer for any day that is over 85 and like someone else said... shallow plant saucers for cool foot baths placed in the shadiest areas of the yard. Also check check and triple check your coops ventilation is adequate for the hottest days, especially since your babies are still young and not wanting to venture far from the coop yet. And I second the advice to do the pain in the buns thing and lift them on a low roost nightly at coop close.

 

[aart]

I give a dose of Sav-a-Chick electrolytes/vitamins about once a week during heat waves. It really seems to help....started this after they saved a heat stroked hen once.

BIG(9x14x2") chunks of ice last all day for wading, sitting, and sipping.

Make space in your freezer.