Summer Heat: Coop Expectations vs Breed Expectations

[thecatumbrella]

I have an Omlet Eglu Pro, which is an insulated prefab coop with subpar ventilation. It sits in the shade 24/7 under my covered run. The run is currently 78*F, and the coop 79*F. My 12 week-old Pekin/Cochin Bantams are hanging out in the Eglu (they love the stupid thing), spread out on the roost bars, and some are panting.

We're planning to build a real coop in the next month with proper (excellent, even!) ventilation. It will sit in the same spot as the Eglu, in 24/7 shade under the covered run.

Now what should my expectations be? On a day like today, even with perfect ventilation, will my chickens still be panting in a 79*F coop? Are they panting because the air is stuffier in the Eglu? Or will they always pant because they're Pekin Bantams? I will say that I do not see them pant in the run until the temp crosses 85*F, and but they'll pant in the Eglu at 65*F. Is this just a perfect example of why coops need superior ventilation?

We're building the new coop regardless of anyone's answers, but I don't want to be let down if the chickens seem equally as uncomfortable after all our hard work. At what temps do your chickens start panting in their coop? Does anyone have Pekin Bantams (or similar feathery breeds?) At what temps do they start to seem uncomfortable? It's going to be a very long, very hot summer. Of course I want the Pekins to do well, but I also don't want to be stressing over every little pant if that's just par for the course.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Altairsky]

I don't think there is a way to not have panting chickens in summer. What matters the most is fresh water, water puddles to let chickens cool their feet, plenty of shade, moist grass, plenty of places to dust bath for the chickens to dig a hole with fresh and moist soil, and what works for me, solar powered fans in the coop, as many as necessary. I also place insulating and heat reflecting material on the coop roof https://www.amazon.it/PANNELLO-TERM...iflettente+termosifoni&qid=1750102317&sr=8-13

 

[thecatumbrella]

I don't think there is a way to not have panting chickens in summer. What matters the most is fresh water, water puddles to let chickens cool their feet, plenty of shade, moist grass, plenty of places to dust bath for the chickens to dig a hole with fresh and moist soil, and what works for me, solar powered fans in the coop, as many as necessary. I also place insulating and heat reflecting material on the coop roof https://www.amazon.it/PANNELLO-TERM...iflettente+termosifoni&qid=1750102317&sr=8-13

I have that on the underside of my tarp roof! It seriously drops the temp 5 degrees in full-blast sun.

With the fans, are you more focused on bringing cool air in or hot air out (or both?) We put a battery-powered one in the Eglu coop to help push the hot air off the ceiling, which does make a difference.

 

[Altairsky]

I have an open air coop (open on 2 opposite sides) so in my case I bring cool air in and use fans to keep a constant airflow around the nesting boxes. We have hot summers and mild winters so for me an open air coop works best. In winter I just use tarp on the open sides when it gets too windy.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I have an open air coop (open on 2 opposite sides) so in my case I bring cool air in and use fans to keep a constant airflow around the nesting boxes. We have hot summers and mild winters so for me an open air coop works best. In winter I just use tarp on the open sides when it gets too windy.

I'm thinking of putting our nest boxes in the run for this exact reason (we have an industrial fan that blows the cool air in and hot air out). If they're panting in the coop now, I'd hate to see them in a year when everyone's going broody!