Opened Mouthed Hen

[chickensforkids]

I have 7 almost nine week old chickens. One of them, a light brahma, walks around with her mouth open quite a bit of the time. She doesn't seem to be panting, and although it is hot out today none of the other chickens are doing this. She has done it off and on for the last couple of weeks even when it isn't hot out. Does anyone have any insight as to why she might be doing this? She seems fine otherwise.

 

[chickgarden]

When it is hot out I notice that some of my chickens will have their beaks open. It's almost like a dog panting except they aren't breathing fast, just have their mouths open. Once it cools they are fine again. I try to be sure and have shady spots for them to sit and lots of water nearby. Some of them will even stand in the water.

ETA left out the word hot

 

[chickensforkids]

That is what it is like except she has done it in the evening when it is cool. She has done it warm, but not hot days too. We have a huge shade tree over their coop and run, and today they had watermelon and I gave them some cold water to stand in. It is hot and humid today, hopefully she will be ok!

 

[chynasparks]

It's really hot this week here in Texas. My girls will have their mouths open but they are active and seem healthy. Are your chickens holding their wings out? That's another way they will try to cool off. Mine haven't been doing that. I put ice in their waterers. You might try that. But I've seen mine walking around with their little beaks partly open ended even during cooler evenings. I don't get too worried because they seem fine. They live in mostly shade. I haven't tried watermelon. That would be interesting. They've never had watermelon.