Water getting too hot? Panting?

[HollyE]

I live in middle TN and its starting to get in the 80's now. I noticed my chickens with their mouths open and sorta panting. They are 8 weeks old but very feathered out and mature. I did realize today that the sun was hitting their plastic waterer for a few hours in the morning and when I stuck my finger in it this morning it was really warm. I put some ice in it and we will move it to fill shade but when it gets even hotter here, won't it get hot anyway? What do you all do to keep It cool? I put a block of ice in the coop to see of they liked that but I couldn't if they did or not as far as lying around it. They did for a minute then moved away. Thanks for any advice.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

If the chicks are panting then it's not the water that is a problem, but more directly themselves. Do they have good shade and is there plenty of airflow there? There isn't any light shining on them is there?

Shade, airflow, and plentiful fresh water is all that is needed. For temperatures just in the eighties they should not be panting. Put their water in the shade for sure if you can.

 

[cmom]

I keep my waterers in the shade.