Too Hot Outside? Yes another weather thread-nervous new chicken owner

[Tervuren]

Okay, so I’ve been bringing my 12 week old pullets inside to my living room in dog kennels the last few days during the late afternoon. Like many places in the West it has been over a hundred and it is looking to stay that way for the foreseeable future.

I’m attaching a video of their panting and my coop/run set up. I have a mister with a fan behind it that I have aimed into the run. I’ve been providing electrolyte water alongside their frozen water, as well as wet and mashed feed with electrolytes and a few frozen berries. I’d say I’ve been able to keep it just under 10 degrees cooler in the coop and run than it is in the sun.

Am I overreacting, just a bit over cautious, or totally spot on in bringing them inside? If I were seeing this kind of panting in a dog or cat I’d be concerned, but not sure if I’m on it with the chickens. I’m fine with continuing to bring them in, but I also want to learn how to read my chickens behavior correctly.

Thanks!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Panting is a concern but since you're taking steps to try and keep them and their area cool they may be ok outside. Do you know how hot it is in the run? Is panting the only sign of heat stress you're seeing? When outside, are they still active and eating? Or completely lethargic?

It's probably safest to bring them in but it may not always be a realistic option, so at least you have the mister and shade and plenty of water which should help a lot. Like I have 10 birds and no AC so bringing mine in when it was 109 out wasn't going to happen.

 

[Tervuren]

Panting is a concern but since you're taking steps to try and keep them and their area cool they may be ok outside. Do you know how hot it is in the run? Is panting the only sign of heat stress you're seeing? When outside, are they still active and eating? Or completely lethargic?

It's probably safest to bring them in but it may not always be a realistic option, so at least you have the mister and shade and plenty of water which should help a lot. Like I have 10 birds and no AC so bringing mine in when it was 109 out wasn't going to happen.

Earlier this week when I brought them in it was 96 in the coop when it was 106 in the sunny part of the yard. Besides rapid panting, I’m seeing wings out and some lethargy. I’m attaching a pic of my EE girl, Ada, doing the classic hot chicken pose. Hard to say how much they’re eating, I’ve been making the decision to bring them in right when it get home from work during the hottest part of the day. In general they’ve been eating a lot of the wet mash I’ve made for them, but I don’t know when they’re doing it. One thing I’ve observed is that under their chin gets bright red when they’re really hot. Not sure that will be observable once they get their wattles in, but it’s useful for now.
I only have 5, so I think I’ll keep bringing them in when it’s above like 102. Thankfully they seem to be acclimating somewhat and are getting used to the mister and fan, though my Dorking, Dora, is the only one so far who will lay under it. (No picture of her under, but she’s so darn cute I’m throwing in a pic of her lol)

 

[Mrs. K]

Without a doubt - they are hot, I think I would roll up that tarp maybe a foot or two on each side, just to let more air circulate. The video I watched showed birds that were hot but not distressed. They were active, moving well and bright eyed and curious. I would not bring mine in looking like that.

The deal with shade, the pictures you took look very shady - but shade moves with the day, and what is shady at 10:00 in the morning, maybe be in the blazing sun at 4:00. If those pictures are taken at 4:00 in the afternoon - then I would leave them where they are, that is enough shade, if not, maybe not.

On another note about your set up: I don't think your birds are full sized, I would be adding more space to the run. I don't think you really have enough space out there as they grow, just something I observed. I like mine to have a lot of space.

Mrs K

 

[Sono]

I place the coop where it is in the shade during summer months and has sun during the winter ( as trees lose their leaves ) the run thats under the coop is shaded and the extended run is in the sun. My birds have been happy with this. Soon I will be building a larger coop for more birds with a large run alongside one end of the enclosed garden so they have more room to run as well as making it easier to transfer fertilizer, compost...ect...

 

[Sono]

Earlier this week when I brought them in it was 96 in the coop when it was 106 in the sunny part of the yard. Besides rapid panting, I’m seeing wings out and some lethargy. I’m attaching a pic of my EE girl, Ada, doing the classic hot chicken pose. Hard to say how much they’re eating, I’ve been making the decision to bring them in right when it get home from work during the hottest part of the day. In general they’ve been eating a lot of the wet mash I’ve made for them, but I don’t know when they’re doing it. One thing I’ve observed is that under their chin gets bright red when they’re really hot. Not sure that will be observable once they get their wattles in, but it’s useful for now.
I only have 5, so I think I’ll keep bringing them in when it’s above like 102. Thankfully they seem to be acclimating somewhat and are getting used to the mister and fan, though my Dorking, Dora, is the only one so far who will lay under it. (No picture of her under, but she’s so darn cute I’m throwing in a pic of her lol)View attachment 2747185View attachment 2747186

Heat index of 110 here and they are as normal as any other day as the area is shaded from the trees and is actually much cooler than in the sun, Im even comfortable in the shade there while feeding, watering,,,

 

[aart]

Heat index of 110 here

Where is "here" @Sono ?

Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Sono]

Where is "here" @Sono ?

Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 2814813

Done