Extreme heat preventative measures?

[sophiehatter1057]

Hello! I have 9 young pullets (4 EE and 5 Australorp) out in my open air coop in SC. We're expecting extreme heat for a sustained period and I'm concerned about it affecting my birds. I know I'll need to stay on top of their water...is there anything else I should be doing? (Also, a couple of them have been leaving their mouths open and I assume they're trying to cool off...is there a way to distinguish something harmless like that from what you would see with gapeworm?) Thank you!

 

[CabritaChicks]

You're right to be proactive—extreme heat can be tough on chickens, especially younger pullets- EE especially due to their comb size unfortunately. You're already on track with the water, and I’d recommend having multiple clean sources, ideally in shaded areas.

Here are some additional tips for keeping them cool:

• Shade, shade, shade: Tarps, umbrellas, or even leaning boards can help create cooler microclimates.
• Frozen treats: Offer frozen fruits or veggies (like watermelon or peas) or freeze water in containers- then I put it out and let it defrost.
• Ventilation: Make sure your open-air coop (as well as the roosting area!) has strong airflow. Fans (safely secured and out of reach) can really help in stagnant conditions. I purchased some mini solar fans for coops- helps in many situations.
• Dust baths: A cool, dry dusting area where you start the hole- helps them regulate body temperature.
• Wet ground spots: Some people like to lightly hose down part of a shaded area so the birds can cool their feet—just make sure it’s not creating mud or standing water that attracts pests.
• Misting (if humidity allows): Light misting on the ground (not directly on the birds unless they approach it) can help lower ambient temps—though in SC’s humidity (I live in the Virgin Islands- so I get it), this can sometimes make things worse, so test it carefully.

As for the open-mouth breathing (panting): you’re absolutely right—it’s a normal cooling behavior, especially if they’re also holding their wings out a bit.
Gapeworm, on the other hand, is fairly rare and usually comes with extra symptoms like repeated yawning, coughing, neck stretching, gurgling, or distress even in cooler parts of the day.

If you're unsure, observe them early in the morning or after sunset—if the panting stops when it's cooler, it’s heat-related. If it continues regardless of temperature, you might want to look into a fecal test or vet check.

You're clearly paying great attention to your flock—and that makes all the difference during these tough summer stretches!

 

[sophiehatter1057]

You're right to be proactive—extreme heat can be tough on chickens, especially younger pullets- EE especially due to their comb size unfortunately. You're already on track with the water, and I’d recommend having multiple clean sources, ideally in shaded areas.

Here are some additional tips for keeping them cool:

• Shade, shade, shade: Tarps, umbrellas, or even leaning boards can help create cooler microclimates.
• Frozen treats: Offer frozen fruits or veggies (like watermelon or peas) or freeze water in containers- then I put it out and let it defrost.
• Ventilation: Make sure your open-air coop (as well as the roosting area!) has strong airflow. Fans (safely secured and out of reach) can really help in stagnant conditions. I purchased some mini solar fans for coops- helps in many situations.
• Dust baths: A cool, dry dusting area where you start the hole- helps them regulate body temperature.
• Wet ground spots: Some people like to lightly hose down part of a shaded area so the birds can cool their feet—just make sure it’s not creating mud or standing water that attracts pests.
• Misting (if humidity allows): Light misting on the ground (not directly on the birds unless they approach it) can help lower ambient temps—though in SC’s humidity (I live in the Virgin Islands- so I get it), this can sometimes make things worse, so test it carefully.

As for the open-mouth breathing (panting): you’re absolutely right—it’s a normal cooling behavior, especially if they’re also holding their wings out a bit.
Gapeworm, on the other hand, is fairly rare and usually comes with extra symptoms like repeated yawning, coughing, neck stretching, gurgling, or distress even in cooler parts of the day.

If you're unsure, observe them early in the morning or after sunset—if the panting stops when it's cooler, it’s heat-related. If it continues regardless of temperature, you might want to look into a fecal test or vet check.

You're clearly paying great attention to your flock—and that makes all the difference during these tough summer stretches!

This is such an incredible reply...thank you!!

 

[CabritaChicks]

This is such an incredible reply...thank you!!

Aw shucks, thanks! I totally get it—it’s second nature at this point. When life gets chaotic and I haven’t planned ahead, I grab bags of frozen chopped fruit and veggies meant for smoothies (yep, the ones flirting with their expiration date—gasp!). I usually ask for a discount, and they often shave off 10%. Toss a handful into a dish and boom—instant cool-down treat when it’s sweltering around 95 degrees and humidity so high high feels like air soup.

Not sure what your setup looks like, but you can build a super simple lean-to (think chicken tiki bar?). It can be as basic or as fancy as you want—just keep an eye on where the sun rises and sets… then do the opposite! Haha.

 

[dawg53]

It's definitely the heat, not gapeworms.
You can put a small fan inside the coop blowing air out a vent. I put them on low or medium speed depending how hot it'll be at night. Return air will be gently sucked in through other vents providing fresh air. You dont want direct air blowing on your birds.
I use box fans in the pens as well. I have 7 pens/7coops.

 

[sophiehatter1057]

Aw shucks, thanks! I totally get it—it’s second nature at this point. When life gets chaotic and I haven’t planned ahead, I grab bags of frozen chopped fruit and veggies meant for smoothies (yep, the ones flirting with their expiration date—gasp!). I usually ask for a discount, and they often shave off 10%. Toss a handful into a dish and boom—instant cool-down treat when it’s sweltering around 95 degrees and humidity so high high feels like air soup.

Not sure what your setup looks like, but you can build a super simple lean-to (think chicken tiki bar?). It can be as basic or as fancy as you want—just keep an eye on where the sun rises and sets… then do the opposite! Haha.

That is just brilliant. We've got lots of frozen fruit/veg for this, and the lean to idea is awesome.

 

[sophiehatter1057]

It's definitely the heat, not gapeworms.
You can put a small fan inside the coop blowing air out a vent. I put them on low or medium speed depending how hot it'll be at night. Return air will be gently sucked in through other vents providing fresh air. You dont want direct air blowing on your birds.
I use box fans in the pens as well. I have 7 pens/7coops.

I've got a fan I can try this with! Thank you!

 

[D Uccle Uncle]

In AZ here, was 113 degrees last week.

-High shade everywhere feasible, including over and around the coop if possible. I string (plastic) shade cloth between structures and t-posts.

-With Corid on hand just in case of infection, moisten the ground intermittently if favorable from a humidity standpoint.

-Ice blocks may work, size/shape of a casserole dish or mixing bowl. Place on ground in shaded area. If the chickens like the block, they'll sit with there breasts nuzzled up to the block.

-Ventilation. $20 box fans are notorious for catching fire; proper outdoor fans more expensive. If anything in the yard impedes airflow through the yard, consider re-positioning it.

-Two waterers, just in case a 1 in a million event knocks one over.

-A misting system. Controversial, but my girls will sit underneath the mister nozzles allowing their feathers to become saturated. I generally only use this when whenever I see them drooping their wings. The air here is dry and even in the shade the feathers dry quickly.

Panting is normal. Panting plus drooping wings occurs when they're more hot. I'm home most of the time. I make it a habit to check the birds each time I myself need a bathroom break. I've not lost any birds to heat stroke, and have never needed to dunk one in water.

I disagree about frozen/cool treats, and otherwise don't understand the point of ice water. Sugary fruit in particular is associated with loose poo, meaning water and electrolyte loss. Besides, 5 minutes after consuming something cool, the birds are hot again. This is to say that consuming cool stuff is not part of my bird cooling strategy.

 

[sophiehatter1057]

In AZ here, was 113 degrees last week.

-High shade everywhere feasible, including over and around the coop if possible. I string (plastic) shade cloth between structures and t-posts.

-With Corid on hand just in case of infection, moisten the ground intermittently if favorable from a humidity standpoint.

-Ice blocks may work, size/shape of a casserole dish or mixing bowl. Place on ground in shaded area. If the chickens like the block, they'll sit with there breasts nuzzled up to the block.

-Ventilation. $20 box fans are notorious for catching fire; proper outdoor fans more expensive. If anything in the yard impedes airflow through the yard, consider re-positioning it.

-Two waterers, just in case a 1 in a million event knocks one over.

-A misting system. Controversial, but my girls will sit underneath the mister nozzles allowing their feathers to become saturated. I generally only use this when whenever I see them drooping their wings. The air here is dry and even in the shade the feathers dry quickly.

Panting is normal. Panting plus drooping wings occurs when they're more hot. I'm home most of the time. I make it a habit to check the birds each time I myself need a bathroom break. I've not lost any birds to heat stroke, and have never needed to dunk one in water.

I disagree about frozen/cool treats, and otherwise don't understand the point of ice water. Sugary fruit in particular is associated with loose poo, meaning water and electrolyte loss. Besides, 5 minutes after consuming something cool, the birds are hot again. This is to say that consuming cool stuff is not part of my bird cooling strategy.

I didn't know about the fire risk with the box fan...thanks for the heads up there!

 

[dawg53]

I didn't know about the fire risk with the box fan...thanks for the heads up there!

I've been using box fans in the pens and coops for years. When they start to slow down, that's when you get rid of them. Also, avoid getting them wet. I use sand in the pens and coops and it keeps everything dry.