Worries about heat

[jany]

Hi,
I'm a new owner of 4 chicks that were hatched June 1st. They seem to be doing great but I live in the central valley of California and it's just turned pretty hot. I've been taking them out to their coop during appropriate temps, but it was 108 in the coop today. They were panting so I brought them back in the house. I hate to be a "mother hen" but I was worried. What kind of temperature range is OK for 3-4 weeks. The breeds are Barred Rock, Rhode Island Red, Buff Orpington, and Ameraucana.

(In case this you read this post earlier, I put it in the wrong area and it was suggested I post it here. )
Thanks

 

[Judy]

Over 100 is definitely danger zone. You are correct that panting means they are getting rid of excess body heat, though that does not mean, in itself, that they are in trouble.

If it is warmer in the coop than outdoors, you do not have enough ventilation in the coop.

Fans, frozen Coke bottles in the run, swamp coolers, and other methods are used. Chickens tolerate cold better than heat.

They will probably survive if they have fresh water, good air flow, and shade, at a minimum.

 

[annek]

108 is pretty hot, I wouldn't leave them in that kind of temp at that age. I have leghorn and RIR's the leghorns seem to handle the heat better. Do you have a run? Is your coop ventilated, it sounds like it is trapping heat. If so, get out the saw and hardware cloth! Personally I wouldn't let them out there at that much heat at that age. Mine are about 12 weeks now and when the temp gets above 95 I put on the misters to cool them off. I wouldn't use misters at your age. They also have fans, lots of water, and ice cold watermelon or fruit. Keep your water changed a few times a day at that heat so it stays cool.

 

[elmo]

Shallow pans of water, try to get them to stand in it. It cools their feet, which helps cool their blood.

Chickens get rid of excess heat through the unfeathered parts of their bodies, including their combs and wattles, which chicks haven't developed yet. So, yes, I think chicks are more susceptible to overheating than older birds.

Bring them inside during the hottest part of the day; they'll feel better and so will you.

 

[hinkjc]

When chickens are panting they should be provided electrolytes. This helps reduce the risk of dehydration.

 

[granmahen]

We're in Bakersfield and know what you mean about the heat. My coops and covered runs are in the shade for most of the day but it still can get hot in there. I use fans, 2 liter bottles of frozen water, watermelon and definitely have cut into the coop towards the roof (hot air rises) air vents. I have even misted my girls with the hose. Yours are a bit young still but I also let them free range in the hottest part of the day so they can flop around in the cool dirt under bushes. Good luck.

 

[jany]

The frozen water bottles were a great idea. They are hanging around them pretty close. Plus the figured out that it is cooler in the run than the coop. The coop has 2 big doors on the east and west sides for ventilation, but the siding is dark wood so I'm sure it's absorbing heat. Anyway, I'm keeping a close eye on them, and they seem to be doing better than yesterday. If they start panting, I'll just bring them back in again. I'm going to try the pans of water now and I'm collecting more bottles and cartons to freeze. Thanks to all.

 

[cmom]

I think if you could give them some shade. I have RIR's and live in Florida. It gets hot here. Right now it's low 90's during the day and mid 70's nights. This past week we had upper 90's during the day and low to mid 80's at night. I put ice chunks in their waterers and also gave them some electrolytes in their water too. I have lots of ventilation in my coop which is in the shade.

 

[FarmerDenise]

I have a mister that I will use in the chicken yard and the chickens love it. But I am also always prepared to bring any of my animals inside, if they show signs of stress.
We don't go away on really hot days, so we can keep an eye on the critters. I keep buying pet carriers at second hand stores and baby gates and cages and anything else that helps me take care of and physically protect my animals.
My emergency animal room is the second bathroom, a nice cool well lit room in the house, that has been fairly well animal proofed and is easy to clean and seal off from the rest of the house, via babygate. We also have another room we gave over to the animals, when needed. You don't want to see the rug.