Panting Hens

[Chickens143]

So today in NJ,it was nearly 100 degrees (98 degrees actualy) and my chickens were panting.

i have a gut feeling its just because of the heat, and i wasnt worried because they had fresh water, shade in and out of the the run, and i let them out to free range. I just wanted some advice on this, like how to keep them cooler, or how to tell if i actually need to do somthing.
thanks

 

[Fred's Hens]

Yes, in near century degree marks, one must be careful and pro-active. Deep shade is a must. I also soak down the dirt in that deep shade to make the soil moist. They seem to like that. I don't care if they spend the entire day under a tree, just sitting and resting.

 

[Fierlin1182]

Damp soil is a good one.
We get some very hot summers here (Australia) and the chickens will often pant.
Some people wire up a fan in the coop. We haven't because ours is too far from the house.

 

[OurLittlebitRanch]

It was 107 here yesterday. All my little chicks were panting. Make sure they have shade and water and they should be ok. I do know that they like to dust themselves. Damp soil is a good idea, never thought of that. I might have to try it!

 

[sumi]

Hello and welcome to BYC

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama. Glad you joined us.

 

[wsmith]

It was 107 here yesterday. All my little chicks were panting. Make sure they have shade and water and they should be ok. I do know that they like to dust themselves. Damp soil is a good idea, never thought of that. I might have to try it!

I am onyl about 20 miles north of Pueblo, It got to 102 at my place on Tuesday. We added more shade to the run areas, and keepthe ground under the coops and in the runs damp. The chickens tend to cope with the heat better with damp ground.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

Hi and from Ohio. So glad to have you aboard. Frozen fruit pieces is a nice treat.