lumpy chick and what to do about warm weather

[tiawieclaw]

my chicks are about 5 weeks old and one of my bigger chicks has a weird bump/ hunched back kinda. he’s active like the others he just looks different and i don’t know if that’s a problem.

it is 90 degrees F where i live and my chicks are panting. they are in the shade and they have loads of space away from the heat lamp. they also have water and they are sleeping in huddled groups as usual. they have opened mouths for most of their breathing is that normal or is that panting? they are scratching up the shavings underneath them idk what that means.

this is my first time raising chicks so i get worried about everything anything helps, thanks!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They are feathered enough that they don't need the heat lamp. I would shut that off asap.

 

[M Brennen]

I agree. With the outside temperature at 90, they definitely don’t need the heat lamp.

 

[rosemarythyme]

x3 on no heat, I wouldn't have 5 week old birds with heat unless there was good reason (i.e. runty chick with no feathers).

The open mouths are panting. Their digging may be an instinctive attempt to find somewhere cooler to rest (my hens will dig holes in the dirt down to where it's a little cooler, and sit in it).

No clue what's going on with the hunchback, do you have photos of this specific concern?