Problems with heat

[Tanith BHH]

It doesn't usually get very hot round here but it is very warm at the moment. I have noticed a couple of my hens are "panting". Is it anything to worry about? I remember this happened last year, but not as much..
I don't have a fridge or freezer so I can't give them any cool food or anything:/ by the time I could get back from buying ice cubes or fresh, cold food from the nearest town, it would have warmed up or melted! any other ways to keep them cool? There is lots of shade in their run but they are still panting. Any help would be greatly appreciated, or maybe it isn't anything to worry about?

Thanks!!

 

[cerealrock78]

Nope, nothing to worry about. Thier only way to keep cool is to pant. But if you wanna have some fun you can feed them fresh watermelon and fruit.

 

[sumi]

Watermelon will go down very well! And rehydrate them at the same time. When it's warm like this it's important that they have lots of cool water to drink. We lived in a very hot area for a few years and in Summer I sometimes found my hens standing in their water bowls. So I'd take the hosepipe and either spray an area in the run or put the pipe down for a few minutes and make a nice big puddle for them to stand and scratch in. It helps keep their feet cool and they loved it. Sometimes they'd scratch up the area and "mud bath" in it as well.

 

[artsyrobin]

saw a video on youtube, need to find the link- but get a shallow pan put some clay brick in it, the brick soaks up the water and the chickens will stand on the bricks and stay cool, haven't tried it yet, but the video, they seemed to enjoy it. I freeze jugs of ice for mine to snuggle next to...

 

[Tanith BHH]

Thanks, they enjoyed all the ideas and have stop panting