Chickens Panting. A lot.

[horsesandboots]

You can also try an electrolyte solution. This may help!

 

[centrarchid]

Mine start panting long before it is a health issue. The real problem is when they start getting disoriented. In between they change feeding habitats to only early morning hours and just before going to roost as well as appetite is lost. Large and fluffy breeds are more challenged. In addition to what AART says make certain their little damp shady spots get a little breeze as that helps promote evaporative cooling. They dump a lot of heat through their feet.

 

[centrarchid]

You can also try an electrolyte solution. This may help!

Avoid use of salts. They seem to have issues with such as they do not loose them like an animals that sweats.

 

[horsesandboots]

Instead of salt use a salt substitute! It's usually in the spices aisle!

 

[lovemy6hens]

I posted a similar question and received some very helpful responses. I hope they help you as well!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/883347/chickens-hot-wont-drink-to-stay-cool/

 

[horsesandboots]

I use
1/2 teaspoon of salt substitute
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon of sugar
1 gallon of water
Shake and add it to the waterer

 

[aart]

Your heat wave has hopefully broken by now. But in the future when it gets that hot, try spraying down their entire run with water. Water, as it evaporates, creates an air conditioning effect, like a swamp cooler. It can lower the air temperature ten degrees, and more if a breeze is blowing.

I have pretty toasty summers where the temp gets into the 80s and 90s. I have a sand run, and I wet it down twice a day. The chickens love digging themselves into damp holes, and this dissipates the build-up of heat in their bodies by transference. Unless you have sticky clay soil, this shouldn't create a messy, muddy scene.

This only works where the air is dry(low humidity)...when it's 90 here it's usually also 90% humidity...no evaporative relief.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Instead of salt use a salt substitute! It's usually in the spices aisle!

I like sage, oregano and a squeeze of lemon with my chicken, will those spices help?

Sorry horseandboots, forgive me, I could not control myself.

 

[horsesandboots]

I like sage, oregano and a squeeze of lemon with my chicken, will those spices help?

Sorry horseandboots, forgive me, I could not control myself.

Lol! Lol!

 

[centrarchid]

This only works where the air is dry(low humidity)...when it's 90 here it's usually also 90% humidity...no evaporative relief.

I can get at least some evaporative cooling even in a building where more than half the room area is covered by water. That is a location where temperature and humidity get to be oppressive. The only times evaporative cooling does not provide benefits is when it is raining or about to rain.