4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[-xJuliex-]

Hi, one of my girls is really not enjoying the nice weather! She is in and out of the eglu with her mouth wide open with her wings out (Not fully ; but away from her body) She just cant settle bless her. She has a summer shade and ive put ice cubes in her glug! Is there anything else i could do to cool her down.

 

-xJuliex-

[Carol U]

Mine seem to prefer to be out in the garden when it's hot, where they make big dust bath holes under bushes and just lie in them in the shade. If this is not possible for you, the more shade you can give them in their run the better. Perhaps a big garden umbrella or similar, rather than just the plastic Omlet shade.

[moomin]

Mine are the same they will sit in any part of the run that has shade, rather than sit in the sun.

 

So I got a couple of old bath towels and attached them with bungy cords to the side/roof of the run (or you could use pegs). Not very pretty but it provides them with the shade they need.

[chocchick]

She'll be fine as long as they have shade, mine have survived much warmer. It's just how they keep a bit cooler. I like the wing thing as looks like they are wearing a cardigan. They sometimes sunbathe as well and just keel over onto one side and stretch out a wing.

[Laura & CTB]

They sometimes sunbathe as well and just keel over onto one side and stretch out a wing.

 

I love it when they do that - been trying to get a photo since the weekend but I think they know and move

[chocchick]

If you sit with them at a distance when they are in that mood you sometimes strike lucky, but they do tend to get up and come over when I go outside

[moomin]

I got a pic a bit like that the second day I had them. More by luck than judgement!! I just crawled into the run on my tummy with the camera and nabbed it!!

 

[Phosphorus]

Aaagh now I know why Rosie is walking around with her mouth open today (nos shaking of her neck or anything so not worried about gapeworm and she is fine otherwise). Its the heat Thankfully the Cube is off the ground and they can sit under it - poor things. Had them out freeranging but it was way to hot for me to watch

[crazygal]

me too- I've even posted a "could this be gapeworm" topic in Chicken Health. I am such a novice, and worry far too much.

 

25 degrees must be very hot for a chicken

[Christian]

As chocchick says, make sure they have plenty of shade. Also extra water goes down well.

 

When it was really hot 2 summers ago, i made them some mealworm ice cubes and put them in their glugs

[Tessa the Duchess]

When it was really hot 2 summers ago, i made them some mealworm ice cubes and put them in their glugs

 

 

That is sooooo sweet Christian.

 

Tessa

[Ms Tilytinkle]

Hi, also do you have an old plant pot to fill wth water, they absolutley love drinking from a bucket or pot or anything biiger then the glug, they do the most delightful

natural glug glugs when drinking, fascinating to watch how they scoop the water first with their beaks then head back & glug, its so natural & they seem to enjoy it. . maybe try that too as well as extra shade. MIne were almost showering with the water as they were all in the same pot drinking at the same time.

 

Ms Tilystillhasnthandledmealwormsyetoooh'eryukstillawimp

[Laura & CTB]

Mine love drinking from the water features - I think they like the way it splashes a bit

 

Fab photo of your girls Ros

 

Watch what you put in your gin & tonic Christian

[Chuckov]

Isn't it funny how a couple of weeks ago we were all moaning about SNOW and now it's in the complete opposite direction!

[Gallina]

My hens are drinking a vast amount of water: do make sure they always have some, as they are getting through it at twice the normal rate.

 

And take off the plastic run covers: they must make the run dreadfully hot.