Chickens in hot weather

[Chicken mike]

I'm new at chickens. We live in southwest Louisiana, the temp here is in
the low 90's
My coop is in the shade of a big oak tree, and they have fresh water.
I noticed today they seem to be panting is this normal, and should I
do something more for them..  They are about 20 weeks old..
                 Thanks

[Ga/La/Gardener]

A chicken body temp is 107 instead of 96 like us.So they can take a lot of heat.As long as there in the shade and they have water they should be ok

[mphymel]

Yes They handle the heat well. I have had them in SE La for years without heat issues.

I find, however, that they die quickly if trapped, but otherwise if they have water and can move around they make out OK. Two years running I lost birds from going in my live trap, or one from getting caught in a pocket of chicken wire in the pen.

Just make sure to get your eggs in every day. The heat will cause runny whites if you leave them in the nest too long in the heat. In the winter, you can get by a couple of days, but not so in the summer.

Mark

[Chvymn99]

I was just getting ready to search this question.  In Kansas here we are suppose to be 95-100's the next 4-5 days with index's 105-110.  I noticed they where panting, digging in the pine shavings, and holding there wings open away from there body. 

[tbird]

  Chickens here in Sabine Parish, LA are cooled by fans in the chicken houses.  I have a small box fan located outside my run so it moves air constantly over the run in the day.  Like Mark said, give em room, give em water, give em shade and they will be OK.   

[Chicken mike]

Thanks for the info.

[pootsnicker]

I have chickens in Arizona and its 102-108 this time of year, as long as they have water and shade they do ok. I will soak down some of the dust baths so they have a cool place to dig and lay down in. never lost any to heat and it gets HOT here. you'll see them hold there wings away from there body as well as pant when there hot.

[mphymel]

I understand that our modern day chickens descended from the areas around the Mediterranean. My impression is that they were more suited to heat than to cold.

Mark

[Ga/La/Gardener]

I have had there feet freeze to the roost in very cold weather.I think they can take a lot either way

[ChristinaJo]

  I had someone mention that I could fill and freeze a big soda pop bottle and put it in the chicken pen for them to lay against to keep cool.

                                                                                                                                                     Christina

[Pjames]

Backyard chickens and commercially grown ones are a different story. I remember years ago seeing a grower decide to mist his birds during excessive heat. problem was the buildup of manure in the building..(broilers are typically kept in the same house with the same litter, or maybe a little added during their growing period.) he wound up with a big outbreak of fungal problems. This usually not seen in small coops.

Overall, the best idea is give them plenty of water to drink and maybe push some air throuh if there is no breeze at all and it is super hot.

[mphymel]

Hot or cold, too much moisture in an enclosed area is a bad thing. Dampness in the winter is bad, and in the summer causes a lot of ammonia to be produced, so ventilation is key.

I understand that the litter will stack up and become its own regulated micro eco system, provided it is not too wet. It is mild enough here that mine roost under a cover year round and I never have problems.

I have been know to tarp the windward side of the pen in really windy winter weather. I built roost boxes on the 12x12 free range pen (big chicken tractor) that I move with my tractor. The will lay in those boxes but wont seek shelter there, preferring the roost bars they spend the summers in. They are not the smartest animals, and are creatures of habit. They are better off in the summer not being cooped up, with all the mosquitoes, but that makes it hard to get them to roost in the boxes in the winter.

[tbird]

Nancy started adding 3 tbs of Apple Cider Vinegar/gallon of their water a day.  It calms them, aids digestion, allows the lungs to cool more efficiently and makes them drink more water.  I'll see how it works.  I only have 21 chickens, all of the older heavy breeds.   

I also have a box fan blowing air across the run.

[mphymel]

That might help keep algae growth down in the water fount too.

[MikeCHS]

I use apple cider vinegar for my Macaw also - It helps control yeast and bacteria in their systems.  Even if it wasn't a help they like the taste better than plain water.

I've never had to give him any type of medication and he's pushing 65 years old - 3 years older than I am.