Texas Heat with Three Week old Chicks

[Jml387]

I live in central Texas and it’s summertime, which means it’s extremely hot and humid. My chicks are three weeks old and starting to go in their run during the day to run around and get used to it. However today I put them out at 2-3 and they immediately started to pant with their beaks open. I put a large fan in front of them and got them multiple ways to access cool water. I also have a dust bath for them. And their entire run is always shaded. I was so uncomfortable watching them pant I finally brought them back inside. Is this normal and/or dangerous to them?

 

[Tookie]

I'm in central Texas too, and my flock does that. It's completely normal and it's a way for them to cool down.
Just keep an eye on them though and make sure no one is really distressed.
You're doing great on the ways to help cool them off.

 

[Kenya Mwangi]

I live in central Texas and it’s summertime, which means it’s extremely hot and humid. My chicks are three weeks old and starting to go in their run during the day to run around and get used to it. However today I put them out at 2-3 and they immediately started to pant with their beaks open. I put a large fan in front of them and got them multiple ways to access cool water. I also have a dust bath for them. And their entire run is always shaded. I was so uncomfortable watching them pant I finally brought them back inside. Is this normal and/or dangerous to them?

Hello Yes this is very dangerous temperatures for 3 week old chicks! They cannot take the heat and will die. I am so happy you put them back inside.

 

[Jml387]

Hello Yes this is very dangerous temperatures for 3 week old chicks! They cannot take the heat and will die. I am so happy you put them back inside.

At what point is it okay for them to be out there full time? They don’t have much space indoors due to my baby and dog and I want to make sure they get enough space/exercise without them overheating while they are young

 

[HollowOfWisps]

How hot is outside? Panting is like us sweating it is how they cool down and completely normal.

 

[LemonTheChicken]

get a container about 3cm-5cm
dig a hole in the ground put the container in
hole is so they can walk over to it and hop/walk into the container fill with cool water they may even have a water bath mine do when it is hot

mine sit in the rain and try to come inside shaking because they are so cold

sprinkler can be fun for them as well
make sure to get the hot water out of the hose first
what do you feed them?
if pellets you can cool those down in the freezer for them not too cold
from LemonTheChicken

 

[TexasBlues]

I’m here in austin. What is your setup like? My chicks are able to free range in the yard so they know where to get in shady cool spots when they want. They have a cool spot under some dense shrubs. They like to lay in the cool soil for the hottest parts of the day.

 

[Jml387]

How hot is outside? Panting is like us sweating it is how they cool down and completely normal.

 

[Jml387]

It’s 90s but it’s the south and the sun and humidity make it feel hotter

 

[Jml387]

I’m here in austin. What is your setup like? My chicks are able to free range in the yard so they know where to get in shady cool spots when they want. They have a cool spot under some dense shrubs. They like to lay in the cool soil for the hottest parts of the day.

I’m Georgetown! I want them to free range when I’m home but when I’m at work during the day they have a caged run. It’s completely shaded at all times even if some sun pokes though at the edge they still have plenty of shade. It’s also sand base because I read that was cooler. I’m just not sure if they can tolerate it at such a young age? At what weeks old should I not worry as much?