Breathing with mouth open

[Kroot301]

I have 3 pullets and 2 cockerels...all 4-5 months old. All clean and healthy. They've free ranged all day. I just went to close the coop and they are all roosting and 3 of them are breathing with their mouths open...is this normal? I haven't seen them do this before and tonight is the 2nd night in their new coop, which was a converted old shed. Just wondering if this is normal!! Or if they could be sick.

 

[Harmony Fowl]

Is it hot where you live? Chickens do open their mouths in something that looks like panting to cool off. Even the coop can be quite warm still at the end of the day.

 

[Harmony Fowl]

Like this?

 

[Kroot301]

Yes that's how they look, they don't seem sick other than that it's 65 right now but it was 80 today. Hopefully that's all it is!! Thank you!

 

[Harmony Fowl]

I’ve noticed it doesn’t take much to get them panting, only temps in the 60s and lots of sunshine. I have a thermometer in my coop and it was still 75 degrees at 9pm when I shut the door.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Definitely sounds like heat. My flock usually starts panting around 85 degrees or so, even with shade. If you put out a shallow dish of water that they can step in to cool off their feet, they'll appreciate it.