Panting hens

[Cupcake1243]

I live in the Uk and today is one of the hottest days of the year here. The only problem is my hens. I have 2 and both are panting and opening their wings in an odd position. Just been outside and one was in the laying bay but was panting and so cane back out again. I put them in a cold bath to cool them down but they just jumped out and I don’t want to chase them round the garden to catch them because they will just get hotter. Is there any other ways to cool down a hot hen???
Really worried as I am a new chicken owner.
Thank you

 

[SE WA Guy]

Your chickens are just hot, they're trying to cool themselves. in the same way a dog will pant excessively in the heat because they can't sweat, chickens will pant and open their feathers to let their heat out.

If they're actively trying to cool themselves, you're probably ok. If they truly overheat, and have lack of movement and real listlessness, you should worry.

Give them plenty of fresh water. Our temps here in the desert was 109 degrees (42C), and my hens were telling me all about how much BS the heat was, but they weren't in danger. Provide shade, change their water 2-3x to make sure the water stays nice and cool and doesn't become equal to temp outside. And if they don't go for water, provide them their favorite melon, chilled. Chilled melon will cool them down and provide hydration.

 

[Chickassan]

They're o.k, that is how they thermo regulate.
They also loose heat through their combs and feet.
Give them a,shallow pool to dip their feet if they want, and relax they'll handle their needs.

 

[Cupcake1243]

Your chickens are just hot, they're trying to cool themselves. in the same way a dog will pant excessively in the heat because they can't sweat, chickens will pant and open their feathers to let their heat out.

If they're actively trying to cool themselves, you're probably ok. If they truly overheat, and have lack of movement and real listlessness, you should worry.

Give them plenty of fresh water. Our temps here in the desert was 109 degrees (42C), and my hens were telling me all about how much BS the heat was, but they weren't in danger. Provide shade, change their water 2-3x to make sure the water stays nice and cool and doesn't become equal to temp outside. And if they don't go for water, provide them their favorite melon, chilled. Chilled melon will cool them down and provide hydration.

Thank you!

 

[Cupcake1243]

They're o.k, that is how they thermo regulate.
They also loose heat through their combs and feet.
Give them a,shallow pool to dip their feet if they want, and relax they'll handle their needs.

ok I can stop worrying now!

 

[aart]

To determine heat stress levels I go by activity level, if panting and wing holding seems extreme, I throw out a few treats to see if everyone is moving well.

My birds are confined with no great deep shade for last half of the day so I have to be vigilant during heat waves. I do have shade cloths up on run, which helps, but still not deep shade.

To help cool down the coop I have a box fan in the east window of coop, where it's shady most the day, and turn it on late afternoon...blows cooler air into coop and pushes hot air out.

Deep all day shade is best but....I don't have much of that.
This has worked very well to keep heat stress/stroke at bay:

I give a dose of Sav-a-Chick electrolytes/vitamins about once a week during heat waves.
It really seems to help....started this after they saved a heat stroked hen once.
Can mix up a smaller amount, just wrap the packet tight and store in a dry cool place.
Always have plain water available too.

BIG(9x14x2") chunks of ice last all day for wading, sitting, and sipping.
Much more useful to the chickens than frozen foods and treats.

Make space in your freezer!

 

[BigFuzzball]

We put water bowls dotted around the allotment / garden as they're quite sluggish with the extreme heat over the last few days (32 degrees) and won't walk far for a drink.
Also today I took up an old washing-up bowl, filled it 2/3rds with cold water then picked up the nearest gaping chicken (Lexi our CLB) and lowered her in preparing for the fight to escape.....nothing, let go, no movement, 2mins later she'd lowered herself down so her belly was just touching the water then her eyes were closed and head dropping !! Total of around 5mins til she decided she was a 'cool chick' and off she went quite happy.
She's had another session and didn't even move when my son came up to see. Not sure the others will be so relaxed but have to catch them first without them getting even hotter !

Next is to try 2 large round ice cubes (in bottom of cut off 2 litre bottle) with their favourite mealworms frozen in and drop them in their water bowls.................