Chickens and the Heat

[Kib]

I’m new to owning chickens, I have 3 currently 2 hens and a Roo. It is normal for them to feel thinner and not eat as much in the heat? They drink water fine and seem healthy poop looks normal but I just worry about them being to skinny. Probably just being paranoid but I was just curious!

Also they are in complete shade all day I change their water everyday and make sure it’s cool, they have a box fan blowing in the run area also a small swallow pan I fill everyday with cool water for feet!

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC. If you put your general location into your profile people can give better-targeted advice because climate matters.

How old are they?

If they've just matured it's natural for them to eat a little less -- just like human teenagers eat everything in sight then slow down in their 20's. Also, in summer they might be getting more good forage from their run/range area and not needing as much commercial feed.

The only way to really know if a chicken is gaining or losing weight is to weigh them periodically. They're not very cooperative about it, but there are ways to achieve it. https://www.backyardchickens.com/posts/25273205

It's usually easier to feel their chests to get a condition score:

Young birds are often "skinny" because their bones grow first and then they fill out -- again, like human teenagers who go through a gangly stage.

 

[BDutch]

I think you are doing great with the heat.
Maybe this is a good read for you? https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/identifying-treating-chicken-heat-stress.77767/