Chickens panting outside

[Ccort]

My chicks (7 weeks on Monday) aren't fully outside yet so I assume they are just not used to the air conditioning. Today it was 91 degrees and I only had them outside for a couple of hours because they were panting. They have shade and water. Do I need to slowly acclimate them to the heat while moving them out? Does panting mean I should bring them in?

 

[Battlepants]

Panting does mean overheated to an extent. Did they also have their wings out as well?

 

[Ccort]

Panting does mean overheated to an extent. Did they also have their wings out as well?

Wings were not out. The were walking around and panting. Are wings out a sign on overheating?

 

[3KillerBs]

They'll need to acclimate to the outdoors.

How old are they?

What are the forecast highs and lows for the next weeks or so?

 

[aart]

Wings were not out. The were walking around and panting. Are wings out a sign on overheating?

Panting is the first sign, wings out are the second, extreme lethargy(not going for treats)is a danger sign.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-extreme-weather-spiel.75893/

They'll need to acclimate to the outdoors.

Ditto Dat.

 

[NatJ]

My chicks (7 weeks on Monday) aren't fully outside yet so I assume they are just not used to the air conditioning. Today it was 91 degrees and I only had them outside for a couple of hours because they were panting. They have shade and water. Do I need to slowly acclimate them to the heat while moving them out? Does panting mean I should bring them in?

Many people put chicks outside in the day first, and only later at night. When outside is colder than inside, that makes sense (bring them in when it is coldest).

But with your temperatures, you might consider putting the chicks outside for the night, and bringing them inside for a few hours in the hottest part of the afternoon if they look stressed. That will let them spend as much time outside as possible, while still easing their transition to the hottest part of the day.

 

[Ccort]

They'll need to acclimate to the outdoors.

How old are they?

What are the forecast highs and lows for the next weeks or so?

They're almost seven weeks. The high today is 90...its 75 now. But tomorrow is a high of 75. It bounces around a lot.

 

[3KillerBs]

I'd have had them off heat and in the coop a couple weeks ago.

Maybe you can put them out once it cools down this evening? Then they can acclimate on a cooler day?

 

[Ccort]

I'd have had them off heat and in the coop a couple weeks ago.

Maybe you can put them out once it cools down this evening? Then they can acclimate on a cooler day?

I'm going to try morning and then again in the evening. I am freezing a big block of ice in case theyll like that too.

 

[Battlepants]

I'd probably just make sure there is lots of shade and water available in this situation. Some panting is to be expected - I'm sure you sweat a little too when going from the nice AC house to the warm, potentially humid, outdoors. The ice block certainly couldn't hurt either.

But yea, if the wings start going out, that's when I would start to worry.