Easter Egger hot??

[DarleneE]

Does anyone have any problems with their Easter Eggers being intolerant of heat?? Mine is 16 wks old and she is kinda panting a little and has mouth open from the heat. We are in Florida where it's in the 90's now. My Barred Rock doesn't seem to be having that problem..?? Just wondering if it was a breed specific thing?? Also, how do you help them with the heat?? I have an upright rotating fan that I put a couple feet from the coop during the day. Thanks!!

 

[CarRod325]

Mine do that when it gets warm... but its just panting... doesn't negatively affect them. As long as they have some shade and water they should be ok!

 

[ChickenLegs13]

All my quail & chickens are doing that and it aint even summer yet. They'll be ok.

 

[JadedPhoenix]

I haven't noticed mine panting but they have been digging to get into the cool dirt. Much like my dogs have done in the summer months. Try giving your chickens a way to cool down and put some ice cubes in the water dishes.

 

[katekearby]

we had an odd warm spell early this week, mid 90s for early May is weird, they were all panting and holding their wings out some, but we did have a breeze, can we say 40mph winds. and i have 2 rocs and 2 NH reds, the rocs seemed hotter. have 3 easter eggers coming around jun 1 was told they were pretty sturdy ?

 

[DarleneE]

Well I'll tell you my Barred Rock seems to handle it much better than my EE. The EE just goes nuts when it's too hot. I even have a fan circulating around their coop and she's STILL panting and holding her mouth open!!??

 

[SusanPC]

I have four 10-week old pullets which are all different breeds. Where I live, we have already had several days into the 100s! The larger birds are more affected by the heat. My Buff Orpington and my Easter Egger pant and hold their feathers out, while my Silver-laced Wyandotte and my Barred Plymouth Rock pant less and don't seem to need to spread their wings out. There is probably almost a pound difference between the two larger and two smaller birds. I don't know if the differences are due to the breeds or their size. If I experience problems this summer, I may wind up trying to get fertilized eggs or chicks locally as I'll know that those chickens' heritage would have spent their time in this locality's weather.

I have been very concerned about the heat, but have been told by numerous people in my city that they will be okay as long as they have shade and water. I put up a shade tent over their already-covered run and coop which helps a bit and have added a fan on the days with no wind. I also noticed that the skin on their face (sorry, I don't have the proper terminology) gets more red and then fades as it cools off in the evening. I do try to provide cool treats when possible and am hoping they may actually acclimate as we have more consistent weather and not so many wild temperature swings. I have also started letting them free range in the mornings while it is still cooler rather than the evening when it is still too hot and provide watered down chicken feed (I call it their "oatmeal") in the mornings and evenings as they seem to eat less in the intense heat. Good luck!

 

[DarleneE]

Thank you for the ideas. I do EXACTLY the same thing.. they free range in the morning. I also have a fan and I've been putting a bowl of ice water in their coop. Thanks!!

 

[DarleneE]

I'm also buying a hard plastic kiddie pool to put in the yard where they free range.

 

[SusanPC]

I'm also buying a hard plastic kiddie pool to put in the yard where they free range.

I like that idea - I may have to steal it. My husband is already complaining about all the "special things" I've done to our backyard to accommodate the chickens. I'm sure he'll love having a kiddie pool out there - ha, ha!