I got some chicks yesterday and everything was going well but when I went to check on the chicks this morning one of the EEs was panting heavily. I assumed it was overheated and placed it near the waterer and away from the heat lamp. It took a drink and went back under the heat lamp and continued panting. I took it out for a while and it continued to pant even when completely out of the brooder. What should I do? Will it be okay? Am I just fussing over nothing?
I would leave it alone. I have had chicks pant like you describe and they were fine in the long run. If it can escape the heat it will, and its possible that the panting is not directly related to being hot. Stress can cause panting and just because i cannot discern the cause of the stress does not mean there is none.
