Normal for tails to droop in extreme heat?

[LalaBuckholtz]

Northeast Arkansas has had heat indexes in the triple digits lately.
The girls are doing well, all things considered. My Leghorns are doing better than my Golden Comets.
But at night when they are trying to get comfortable in the heat, their tails droop.
During the day I put a drippy hose in their favorite shady spot. They stay there most of the day and their feet stay cool. Beaks are always panting, but they only prop their wings open in the hottest part of the day. Their tails are normal through the day.
I don't think the coop is extremely hot and it has good airflow and a breezy roost bar, but I've noticed they keep their wings very open and drop their tails like they are stressed.
Maybe just the activity around getting settled into the coop gets them a little warm?
My two Golden Comets seem to have the worst reaction, and they are very old. One Comet has already stopped laying, the other is at the end of her laying days, but the heat hasn't stopped her laying.

Just something to endure during the summer months? Is there anything else to do for them?

 

[aart]

they are stressed

Yes, they are stressed. Could also be a balance thing with the wings being the tail is a counter balance.

Checking temps inside and outside the coop will let you know if more ventilation might help. They should be near equal.

Here's some stuff I do....electrolytes really can help.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-extreme-weather-spiel.75893/

Northeast Arkansas

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[LalaBuckholtz]

Yes, they are stressed. Could also be a balance thing with the wings being the tail is a counter balance.

Checking temps inside and outside the coop will let you know if more ventilation might help. They should be near equal.

Here's some stuff I do....electrolytes really can help.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-extreme-weather-spiel.75893/


Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 3891635

Thanks! I love the ice block idea. I hadn't thought of that for cooling the surface they walk on.
Yes, the coop is cooler than the outside, it is in deep shade in the afternoon/evening, so even though it doesn't have a solid breeze, it seems cooler. They hang out in deep shade under my trees all day. Even though they have ramps and steps, most of them choose to jump/fly straight to the roost, I've wondered if that burst of energy throws their last bit of heat tolerance in the garbage. I hadn't thought about the tail dropping for balance, it's not just the jump, but vying for their favorite spots on the roost with their wings out for ventilation might make them a little wobbly. The roost is lined with sand, so their feet should be cool enough in that, in fact with the heat I've found them sleeping in the sand instead of the roost.