I have a silly question also. In the heat of the day it sometimes looks like the chicks are panting, just like a dog would do on a hot day (minus sticking out their tongue). Do chicks cool themselves down this way or is it something else? 
Main cooling techniques ... they pant, find the shade and lie on their bellies with their feet splayed out. Just a note, their feathers are not as thick at today's age (banding age = 21-23 days) as you might think - thick enough but not as thick as you think.
