Heat

[Nicechickens64]

Quick question, I’m very new to chickens and we are having hot weather, heat index triple digits… I’ve just started letting my almost 5 month olds out to free range in a mostly shaded area. But, they just don’t seem to rest when they are out free ranging. Now, In their run, it’s fully shaded with 2 fans blowing on them and they rest in front of the fans in their run. I’m just trying to do the right thing. My gut says keep them in the run while it’s so hot. But, am I just stopping natural behavior?. And, will they go in and out of the run as needed? Are they smart enough to take themselves back to the fans??. I just don’t know. Im sorry for such rookie questions. But, im trying to do right by them. Thanks so much, Laura

 

[azygous]

It always cracks me up how much new chicken keepers are like new parents. Yes, your chickens will take care of themselves to regulate their responses to the heat as long as they have the necessary conditions.

They will open their beaks and pant. Their combs and wattles release excess body heat. They will hold their wings out to the sides to let air circulate under their wing pits where they have a lot of blood vessels that will release excess body heat. There is nothing wrong with a chicken when they do these things.

They will move into the shade to cool down as we do after getting overheated in the sun. They will dig a depression in the dirt in the shade to allow the principle of thermodynamics to draw excess heat out of their bodies. You can help by providing dampened soil to make this process even more efficient and enjoyable for them.

It will also be your job to watch their behavior for signs of heat sickness. You would see a chicken start to walk like a drunk at 2am bar closing. They might even collapse. Have cool water with electrolytes handy for this emergency (Gatoraid with sugar will work) and dip the beak to get them drinking. Or be prepared to syringe it into the beak until the chicken revives. Place cool compresses under the wing pits to draw excess heat out of their body. Never dunk a chicken in cold water as it will kill an overheated chicken.

 

[KimbosKluckers]

They’re definitely smart enough to go where it’s comfortable. I’m new too so I completely understand the questions of worry. I often wet the ground for them and give frozen fruit occasionally. They even stay out in torrential rains. I no longer worry about them.