Is it the heat or something else?

[HappieHippie]

1st time chicken owner, however my roommate has some experience with them. Picked them up Friday afternoon. Our white chicken from the time of pick up has been open mouth panting, spends more time sitting/laying than walking around. Eats a lot, drinks even more. Every night they have all 3 slept in a huddle, except last night. White chicken moved and was sleeping alone. Seems very hot to the touch, to me.
I did read in a thread a bit ago that someone laid a damp cool towel over their chicken to help lower body temp. I do live in Mobile, AL and since day of pick up we have been above 90 degrees. I make sure they keep cool water & plenty of feed and shade. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[HappieHippie]

I forgot to add the 2 smaller chickens seem to be just fine. Up moving around, chasing bugs, roosting, etc. Just not the white chicken.

 

[Eggcessive]

I'm sure they are hot. What breed is the white one? She's not a meat bird is she? They like to cool off their legs in a flat pan of water in the shade. Some people partially fill baby pools for this purpose. You should add a roost for them to sleep on at night--that would keep them more comfortable. The flat side up of a 2X4 or a thick limb makes a good roost.

 

[HappieHippie]

My roommate ended up getting the chickens before we completed the coop. I will stop on my way home and get a baby pool. The smaller ones roost but like I said, white chicken only walks around a little. I don't know what breed either are, to be honest. Roommate felt sorry for the chickens, got them from someone who bought chicks & ducklings for their kids @ Easter.

 

[abserbean]

Chickens will feel hot to the touch, their normal temp runs 102-104 degrees. The panting sounds like it is hot, the pan of cold water will help, also cold treats like watermelon/grapes will help. The hen doesn't look point of lay, combs isn't that red yet, do you know how old it is? If is is the same age as the other two birds, it could very well be a cornish cross meat bird. If it is a meat bird, it will eat a ton and be much larger than the other birds of the same age. Also, your hen has a huge breast, typical of a meat bird. It will also have a higher incidence of health issues, such as breathing, and they don't do well with the heat. If they are the same age, then I'm pretty sure you have a meat bird on your hands, which would explain the behavior.
http://concrete2chickens.blogspot.com/2012/10/cornish-cross-meat-chicken-butchering.html
This website has images of cornish crosses, looks a lot like your chicken.

 

[HappieHippie]

Abserbean,

Thanks for the info & link. I will update again tomorrow.

 

[HappieHippie]

My white chicken seems a lot better in the past day. Moving around more, plus it's cooler than it had been (at least for now).