Chicks are panting like crazy!

[hemolymph]

I feel so bad for my chicks!!! They are 5 weeks old and today was the first 100 degree day since they've been outside. They just have their mouths open all the time and below their mouths is just shaking.
They are in the coolest part of the yard, in the shade in a very ventilated coop and fresh cold water. I don't know what else I can do for them!!! I suppose they have to start getting use to it seeing as it can get up to 115 easily out here.

I just hope they don't die on me!!!

 

[loot4louie]

Can you run a metal/industrial fan? I use a power cord and run one unless they are calling for rain.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Get them a nice watermelon and pop it in your refrigerator for about 15 minutes before you give it to them, my flock loves it! I also put some ice cubes in their water when it gets real hot here

 

[annek]

Our weather isn't as hot as yours but during the summer I run a fan at night (mine free range during the day), keep shallow pans of water around (the type used for drip trays on plants-mine are about 2' across and 3" tall) so they can stand in them-change frequently, feed them watermelon and other cool fruit. It helps them a lot. Depending on the type of chicken it could very well kill them with the heat. I think heat is much harder on them then cold is.

 

[Anianna]

I've read several BYCers purchase the inexpensive kitty litter boxes as wading pools for their chickens. I haven't had mine in heat yet, but our rabbits are very susceptible to heat. We give them frozen water bottles to lean on and lay those cooler ice sheets on top of their cages and in their cages where they can lay on them. We also put ice cubes in their water bottles. Perhaps putting ice in the chickens' water would help or hang some ice sheets in smaller coops.

 

[redhen]

Give them some frozen water/soda bottles to lay aganist.... and cold fruits/foods from your freezer.

 

[Capvin]

We have been having every day in the 90's here in Central Florida. In order to keep my chicks cool I have a ceiling fan in their covered run. On the east and west sides of the run I have bamboo curtains that I put down to keep out sun. I have frozen watermelon and they love to eat it frozen and they also get plenty of water. I have a shallow container that I fill with about 2-3 inches of water and freeze water bottles and put a frozen water bottle in the container. Lastly, and most effectively, for $15.00 I purchased a six head mist system that I put up on one end of their run. Every day at about noon I begin to run the mist system and it drops the temp inside their run by at least 10 degrees or more. My chicks go into the mist whenever they really want to cool down and sometimes dig a small hole in the sand and lie in the damp ground. With all that they do seem to be much more comfortable in our heat. Try the mist system.

 

[chickengrl]

I was wondering if I could mount a fan for those super hot days. We do it for the horses, so was thinking about it for the summer. I may set it backwards to pull the heat out. Wading pools sound like a good idea too. Good info. Thanks!

Edited to add: oooohh! a mist system. The horses will be jealous!

 

[GrannysRoost]

I am in Casa Grande with some about 8 weeks, but mine are in their pen during the day...I have a piece of plywood at a slant against their coop for them to gather underneath in the shade, with water underneath....fresh about 4 times a day right now. Watermelon chunks are great, and I started with ice cubes a couple weeks ago when really warming up, it was so funny, they snuck up on the water dish and would peck the cubes...I think it took their mind off the heat

 

[jaimslee4u]

Quote:
WOW!!!

You are an amazing chicken parent. Great job on keeping them cool!