panting chicks ?

[iowegian23]

I have recently notices that one of my six new chicks has been panting. What does that mean?  The other ones are fine so i am assuming its not to hot but i dont know. They are roughly 3 or 4 weeks old and still in the brooder.

[SherryB]

Make sure they can get away from the heat if they need to. 

[iowegian23]

The brooder i built is about 3 1/2 foot by 2 1/2 foot and 2 foot high sides with a plywood lid w/ a 16 inch x 24 inch hole in it covered w/ wire. right now the heat lamp is roughly 20 inches above the bedding. under the lamp is 95 - 100 degrees and on the perimeter 80 - 85 degrees.

[tbird]

  Drop the temp in the brooder at least 5 - 7 degrees per week of age for the chicks. Are they spread out from each other near the edges (walls) of the brooder?  If so that means they are too hot.  The only time I ever saw chicks pant that was not heat related is when I was a teenager and raised chickens with my aunt and uncle. A few developed a respiratory illness that closed their nasal passages so the little guys and girls had to pant to breath.  We treated them with a mild anti-biotic and in a couple of days the were fine.  It was easy to diagnose because they had a small discharge out their noses and it was easy to see their little passages blocked.