Chicken Holding her Beak Slightly Open

[ejtalbert]

So I have a 9 week old flock, they have been in the coop for about 3 weeks, and just now is it starting to get warm. The high today was 85 degrees. Since it is becoming summer, I am checking the water supply at least 2 times a day and removing any dirt they scratch into the water. All of my girls are doing fine, except for one. She is acting normal, eating, sleeping, running, pecking, but she is constantly holding her beak slightly open as if she is holding an invisible leaf in her mouth. I picked her up and moved her to the water to see if she was thirsty, but she didn't drink.
Is this okay?

 

[DobieLover]

So I have a 9 week old flock, they have been in the coop for about 3 weeks, and just now is it starting to get warm. The high today was 85 degrees. Since it is becoming summer, I am checking the water supply at least 2 times a day and removing any dirt they scratch into the water. All of my girls are doing fine, except for one. She is acting normal, eating, sleeping, running, pecking, but she is constantly holding her beak slightly open as if she is holding an invisible leaf in her mouth. I picked her up and moved her to the water to see if she was thirsty, but she didn't drink.
Is this okay?

She is hot and is trying to cool down. Just keep up with the water being available at all times.
I also freeze blocks of ice in large plastic containers then pop the blocks out into a shallow plastic pan that the chickens can sip from and wade in during hot spells. Offering another waterer with electrolytes in it during the heat can also help.
The chickens having access to deep shade with a floor fan blowing on them can also be of benefit.

 

[ejtalbert]

She is hot and is trying to cool down. Just keep up with the water being available at all times.
I also freeze blocks of ice in large plastic containers then pop the blocks out into a shallow plastic pan that the chickens can sip from and wade in during hot spells. Offering another waterer with electrolytes in it during the heat can also help.
The chickens having access to deep shade with a floor fan blowing on them can also be of benefit.

Oh, good! Thank you!

 

[rosemarythyme]

It's light panting. 85 degrees is about where you'll see it, as chickens can't ditch the nice down coat they're wearing. As long as they have access to water and some options to cool down (at around 90 degrees+ I offer shallow pans of water to step into, plus my run has ample shade) they'll be fine.

 

[ejtalbert]

It's light panting. 85 degrees is about where you'll see it, as chickens can't ditch the nice down coat they're wearing. As long as they have access to water and some options to cool down (at around 90 degrees+ I offer shallow pans of water to step into, plus my run has ample shade) they'll be fine.

Okay, will do! Thank you!

 

[aart]

A little panting is not bad, holding wings out is the next step they take to cool down.
It's when they refuse to move for a bit of treats tossed out is when I worry.
Almost lost one a few summers ago....before I started the regime below.

Deep all day shade is best but....

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.
Can mix up a smaller amount, just wrap the packet tight and store in a dry cool place.
Always have plain water available too.

BIG(9x14x2") chunks of ice last all day for wading, sitting, and sipping.
Much more useful to the chickens than frozen foods and treats.

Make space in your freezer!

 

[ejtalbert]

A little panting is not bad, holding wings out is the next step they take to cool down.
It's when they refuse to move for a bit of treats tossed out is when I worry.
Almost lost one a few summers ago....before I started the regime below.

Deep all day shade is best but....

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.
Can mix up a smaller amount, just wrap the packet tight and store in a dry cool place.
Always have plain water available too.

BIG(9x14x2") chunks of ice last all day for wading, sitting, and sipping.
Much more useful to the chickens than frozen foods and treats.

Make space in your freezer!

Awesome! I will order some electrolytes soon! Thank you so much.