Is she just hot or something wrong?

[ChickenMomsince2025]

She's been panting like a puppy on a hot day. It's been very hot during the day. She seems to be having a harder time cooling off than the rest. I took her inside to cool off. It's been an hour and she's still panting, not constant though.

I noticed her poop is softer than usual. I also noticed these white translucent particles coming off of her when she cleans her feathers. Shes 7 weeks old. I don't know all these things are related. Is she okay?

 

[Mutha_Clucka]

She looks totally normal in my opinion. Her poop looks normal & the white flakes are common with young chicks. I noticed with mine that happened as their feathers came in. It’s like these little pin feather flakes, I wouldn’t worry about that.

She sounds like she is either hot or stressed, maybe both? Maybe she got startled by something. Chicks have a harder time regulating their temperature, she likely still is learning. Helping her cool off as you did I’m sure is what’s best. Making sure they have cool water, shade & even electrolytes is helpful. My girls love cool snacks to stay cooled down also. Things like watermelon are great. I also put water, ice in a bowl with meal worms, frozen peas, corn & blueberries. It’s a fun interactive way to cool off for them. Hope that helps & she is feeling ok.

 

[Eggcessive]

Is she outside? What is the temperature? When she pants, does she have her wings held out from her body? Does she have shade and good ventilation?

 

[ChickenMomsince2025]

She looks totally normal in my opinion. Her poop looks normal & the white flakes are common with young chicks. I noticed with mine that happened as their feathers came in. It’s like these little pin feather flakes, I wouldn’t worry about that.

She sounds like she is either hot or stressed, maybe both? Maybe she got startled by something. Chicks have a harder time regulating their temperature, she likely still is learning. Helping her cool off as you did I’m sure is what’s best. Making sure they have cool water, shade & even electrolytes is helpful. My girls love cool snacks to stay cooled down also. Things like watermelon are great. I also put water, ice in a bowl with meal worms, frozen peas, corn & blueberries. It’s a fun interactive way to cool off for them. Hope that helps & she is feeling ok.

I tend to overly worried about them. I've been giving them all those cool snacks you mentioned (they're so pampered) except frozen peas so I'll try that tomorrow. She's not panting in the evening so I guess she's okay. I'll add more shades as well. Thank you!

 

[Mutha_Clucka]

I tend to overly worried about them. I've been giving them all those cool snacks you mentioned (they're so pampered) except frozen peas so I'll try that tomorrow. She's not panting in the evening so I guess she's okay. I'll add more shades as well. Thank you!

Of course, happy to help. If she isn’t panting in the evening, definitely related to her body temperature I’d think. Sometimes also dipping their feet in super shallow cool water helps too if they are hot. With chicks I’d just be sure to monitor them when doing so.

& no worries, we all have those moments of worry. I have had them for a few years now & still get paranoid over small changes & trying to figure out if it’s something small or more serious. So far discovering that keeping a close eye to the details like we do is super helpful in keeping the safe & can end up being really informative despite the occasional scare. Also learned that if you suspect something, it’s best to take action, do small steps to rule easy to fix things out first before jumping to conclusions.

I recently quarantined a hen for not eating or laying eggs. I was worried she was sick & turns out she is just molting. Figured that out though only by giving her an epson salt bath just in case she was egg bound.