Chicken bald back

[Millie-Annie]

Octavia is my Orpington. She is a big girl with beautiful black plumage. On sunday it was really hot and she was literally panting. I tried to cool her down by spraying her, but she didn't seem to appreciate it. Any suggestions?

[miller30]

Don't worry some of mine pant in the heat make sure she has plenty of shade and water she will be fine

[Daphne]

It is completely normal, but nevertheless it can be unpleasant for the bird, orps have so much feather that they can really suffer in the heat. Give her as much deep shade as you can manage - I have put up sunshades before now if I have to leave them penned in a part of the garden without bushes or trees. You can wet the shades as well so there is some damp coolness, at least for a while. I also put out water in different locations.

[Millie-Annie]

She does have a lot of shade, but I think I will spray the earth before I let them out next time it is hot, so they have cool earth to dust bath in. They have a lot of water too.

 

It was a bit concerning watching her pant, but she did calm down

[daxigirl]

Mine pant a bit when they've got an egg brewing.

[quickcluck]

if its really hot I give mine frozen sweetcorn or frozen melon as it helps to cool them from the inside.......