Panting in October?

[Chickflick29]

Yesterday my husband was tucking our chickens in for the night and he noticed that our lovely Wyandotte, Fiona, was sitting at the edge of the nesting box panting in the coop. Her wings were slightly away from her body, which by all accounts looks like heat stress to us. However, our two other hens, who sleep in the boxes right beside her, seem absolutely fine. We have predator-secure window fencing that allows us to keep the coop windows open at night for cross-breeze ventilation, and they always have access to fresh food/water.

She’s seemed fine during the day, they free-range my property and she’s as spry and hungry as ever. I noticed this afternoon that she would intermittently walk about with her beak open, but there was no bad smell, no mucous, no head shaking/rattling/etc. She was still active and happy, no other signs of anything wrong besides her mouth being slightly open once and a while. It doesn’t seem to be until bedtime that she starts panting heavily. We use hay/straw bedding, clean it often, and it’s from the same source as always. I will add that we’re located in South Texas, and the current hurricane has brought in 80-90% humidity rates. Today got up to 90 degrees midday, but it’s dropped back to 69-71ish after dark. Extra odd, since she was happily scrounging in the dirt for tidbits at the hottest part..

I’m worried for my girl, any help/suggestion as to why she’s started panting at night?

 

[Buckeye Amy]

I can see her being hot still. My EEs are still panting on the warmest days. The heavier feathered breeds really like cool weather!