Need Help...New to chicks

[truchicks]

Hi!

I have 4 baby chicks and they are now 3 1/2 weeks old. I took them out to their coop today to see how they would liked it. They have been out for about 3 hours and it's about 92 degrees (North Texas). I just brought them back inside my house (with the AC blowing) because they are panting. Are they going to be able to adapt in the Texas heat when they were raised in a nice AC house? Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[lazy gardener]

You're going to have to work on getting them acclimated to hot temps. Chicks are at more risk of heat stress than adults are. My 6 week old chicks were stressed a couple of weeks ago, and I had to give them electrolytes. They were stumbling. If I'd not have caught it in time, I could have easily lost some of them to heat stress.

 

[truchicks]

You're going to have to work on getting them acclimated to hot temps. Chicks are at more risk of heat stress than adults are. My 6 week old chicks were stressed a couple of weeks ago, and I had to give them electrolytes. They were stumbling. If I'd not have caught it in time, I could have easily lost some of them to heat stress.

Thank you for the quick response lazy gardener! How do I get them acclimated?

 

[lazy gardener]

A little at a time. I've never had that issue, since I live at the other end of the spectrum! First off, do you have somewhere in your house that's NOT AC? You're not giving them any heat now, are you? Put them out first thing in the morning when it's coolest, then bring them in for the heat of the day, and take them outside again when the weather cools as evening approaches. Do you have lots of shade available over the coop/run? Lots of ventilation? Perhaps a swamp cooler? A mister? A fan?

 

[Chickfriends]

You're going to have to work on getting them acclimated to hot temps.  Chicks are at more risk of heat stress than adults are.  My 6 week old chicks were stressed a couple of weeks ago, and I had to give them electrolytes.  They were stumbling.  If I'd not have caught it in time, I could have easily lost some of them to heat stress.

I lost 22 of my chicks mostly the buff orphs. Very sensitive birds I think....

 

[Chickfriends]

A little at a time.  I've never had that issue, since I live at the other end of the spectrum!  First off, do you have somewhere in your house that's NOT AC?  You're not giving them any heat now, are you?  Put them out first thing in the morning when it's coolest, then bring them in for the heat of the day, and take them outside again when the weather cools as evening approaches.  Do you have lots of shade available over the coop/run?  Lots of ventilation?  Perhaps a swamp cooler?  A mister?  A fan?  

yes I have a fan in window blowing heat out all windows r open. I take them out in the shade they run right back in. I found most dead from overnight lockup. My husband put in a exhaust vent fan they seem to be happier. Heat wave is coming back for the week, prayers everyone....