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

[Faye&Ant]

Hi all,

 

I notices that all my girls are panting today and yesterday, I've left plenty of bowls of iced water around the garden and there are loads of shaded areas but does anyone have any tips how to cool them down, or do you think they are ok?

[Lapinou]

I should imagine that panting is just their natural way of stopping themselves overheating. We sweat, chickens pant (I guess!) as do dogs etc. I think they also open their wings to let air through. So long as they have easy access to water and shade then their natural instincts will keep them safe - after all, there are chickens in far hotter countries than ours and they survive!

[Faye&Ant]

Thanks, I just needed some reassurance I guess as Im such a worrier! One of our girls has black feathers and isn't really enjoying the hot weather like the others albeit she is a bit of a grump anyway

 

Thanks again

[Valkyrie]

Thank you all, I have the same problem and I assumed it was heat - only need to look at the blackbirds doing the same thing, but I wasn't sure. As a result of gulping down lots of water one of the birds is now doing watery poos almost as if it goes in one end and out the other. Apart from that nothing seems to be out of the ordinary - scoffing all sorts around the garden. Are the watery poos something to be worried about too?

[chelsea]

mine love natural bio yoghurt straight from the fridge in the summer.

[Diana1]

what do your serve your yoghurt in? Straight from the pot? I'm going to have to have some yoghurt myself now.

[Cooks]

mine love cucumber as one of their treats and it's great for them in this heat, so they had extra today

 

It just rained quite heavily which hopefully will help. I felt like running out in the rain, I have been THAT hot today

[Diana1]

I forget to give mine cucumber and I've got six cucumber plants in my greenhouse and I know I'm going to have a glut of cucumber.

 

thanks for reminding me.

[Ange1]

I feed mind the bio yoghurt straight from the fridge too, Diana.

 

I feed mine in a small heavy pate brown dish?

 

Goes in the dishwasher afterwards.

 

Funny to watch them eat it!

[Diana1]

wow I can't wait to do that - going shopping now so will buy some yoghurt. already have a pate dish thingy. Rekindling my chicken love affair.

[Robbo1962]

It was really hot yesterday and I was gardening and had the watering can handy and my ex bat chirpped and asked me to water her! So they had a quick shower, shuffled thier feathers and looked alot cooler! They also have a parasol which follows them around the garden! My black orpington beauty stayed in bed all day...all just too much for her!

[mayflower]

I cut up ice cold lettuce straight from the fridge. Also, whoever is at home changes the water so thet it is cold. I also gently splash their backs with water......ex bats love water!!! My neighbours think I'm mad........my hens have a huge parasol put up on the outside of their run...

[Babs&Ginger]

Delia lay in the dustbath for about half an hour today!! The soil was a bit wet so it must have been cooler for her!! Put the lid of their feed bin in the run upside down & filled it with water for them but they just pecjed at it & then Delia stood in it & tipped all the water out!!!!!