Warm weather = chickens stressing??

[FirewifeJess]

I live in a generally cool climate (Pacific Northwest, Seattle area to be precise) and have noticed my birds getting overly hot in just 80 degree weather the last couple days. It's supposed to get hotter for the next week (mid 80s) and I'm wondering if I actually need to do much at this point? Are they so used to our climate that hot = TOO HOT to them, as opposed to birds in hotter climates who don't even fret until it's 95+ outside? Is a mister a good idea inside a chicken run? I thought DRY was always better where they spend their time eating and drinking, so that we don't encourage bacteria to grow? Help! I want to help my girls if they need it but I find it a bit ridiculous that they went in the 70 degree coop at 8:20 tonight and they all sat on the roosts with their mouths open and acting miserable...ugh.

 

[kellysmall87]

Aw yes, probably too hot. Electrolytes in their water help if it's too hot for them. Try giving them ice cold water, too. This might mean topping it up regularly. A mister may be a bad idea as it is also my understanding that food needs to be kept dry, but maybe a more experienced member will aid you with this. Rig up an extension wire and a fan? Other than that, don't know what to suggest!

 

[Cindy in PA]

We've had 95-103 temps here & I haven't changed anything. They get fresh water, their coop's in the shade & all their windows are always open. The only time I have ever wet down their run was last year when the temp hit 106. If you have shade & ventilation your birds will be fine.

 

[gale65]

We've had 95-103 temps here & I haven't changed anything.  They get fresh water, their coop's in the shade & all their windows are always open.  The only time I have ever wet down their run was last year when the temp hit 106.  If you have shade & ventilation your birds will be fine.

ditto here. Only our coop isn't in the shade but they have some shade in the run.

 

[FirewifeJess]

So it's OK that they are panting all day long? Thanks for the reassurance, I just don't want to kill my birds

 

[MarieNC]

Down her in NC where the heat index was well over 100 for the last 10 days, I had fans on the girls in their run, along with frozen water bottles in their water bowls or ice cubes in their drip waterers. I also have fans and an exhaust fan in the coop, which really help. I will sometimes mist down the ground in front of the fans and this cools the air a bit. They are in the shade most of the day and this helps, too. Only one night did they seem really uncomfortable and I put some cool water down on their necks and under their wings, and the panting stopped.

 

[FirewifeJess]

Thanks. They are adjusting slowly but surely, and figuring out where all the cool spots in the yard are. They're still young and I think they just didn't know how to cope since they haven't had older chickens to follow around and learn from. After 4 full days in very warm weather for this climate they're all getting much better about keeping themselves cool. I also put a fan in the run during the day, and in the coop at night. That helped a lot