11wk Polish pullet dead, could it have been heat?Would someone please

[animal nut]

I have 3 Golden Polish 2 cock 1 pullet. This morning when I went to check on the flock I found the female dead. Last couple of days have been really hot here and I was wondering how well Polish handle the heat. I did notice last night that she seemed a little sluggish but nothing of real concern. They are provided shade but the coop tends to be hot. I have 65, well not 64 chicks and I would not like to lose any others as these are pets.

 

[modenacart]

How hot is really hot? I'm in NC and our polish chicks did ok with our hot summer last year. We put a fan out for them and wet the ground in their pen several times a day when it was 99-100 degrees for a few days straight. In OH they should be ok as long as they have shade and good airflow.

 

[animal nut]

It reach almost 90. They do have shade but their coop stays around 80 something. The are outside in the pen. I have another one yestarday that doesn't seem right. We isolated him and are giving him vitiams. Do you have a problem with them not eating enough because of the top knot? Both of these birds seem dehydrated?

 

[pipermark]

chickens internal temps run about 100, 90 degrees shouldn't bother them.

Probably not the heat, so keep a close eye on the others, look for sluggishness , trouble walking. Also sick birds, when roosting , look like their feathers are all puffed out.

 

[animal nut]

Well, I lost 3 Polish over the weekend. The humidity was extremely high over the weekend. None of my other breeds are showing any of the same signs. I know they are hot because they are panting and have their wings spread. I have created more shade for all of them. I was missabel with out air conditioning all weekend and know they didn't feel any better.

 

[pipermark]

I will repeat this once more than I will stay out of it. I live in Arkansas, we get over 100 degrees all the time in the summer. One of the best hatcheries I deal with is in Texas, they get over 100 degrees all the time (slight exaggeration there).

If your birds have enough water, shade and feed , I sincerely doubt if its the heat killing them.

 

[txchickie]

I'm going to guess it's something else besides the heat..........I have 4 polish and it easily reaches 90+ (100+ in the strong summer) here and no problems. Especially if they have access to fresh water and shade.

 

[animal nut]

I resent the implication that I have not provided enough shade and water. In their pen and coop area they have two 5 gallon waters, one 9x12 and one 10x20 sun reflecting tarps. Along with two 30 gallon feeders. All of the waters and feeders are full at all times. Not to mention that the entire flock is provided 2 acres to free range. I had 65 birds at the time ranging from the ages of 4 weeks to 1 year old. None of my other flock have been lost or show signs of any illness. I am a person that does go above and beyond what is necessary. I think maybe that you failed to take in account that humidity can play a big part in heat stroke or suffering. As far as Texas heat, I know about that my brother lives there. 95 in Texas feel cool to 90 in Ohio with high humidity. As he stated last year when he was here to visit."I forgot how hot it gets in Ohio in the summer the humidity is horrable". Last but not least these chicks were pets and pampered.

 

[Southerngirl]

In Arkansas the humidity is horrible here which can play a huge factor in dealing with the loss of poultry. I trim my Polish's head crest on both my hens and roos to allow them to see a little better. At 11 weeks old if you have other larger roos could one of them possibly have snapped her neck while trying to mate with her ? I have lost chicks to larger roos attempting this and have learned to separate them till the hens are at least 6 months old. Good Luck.

 

[animal nut]

No she was not attacked. She just seemed quieter then normal. All three had empty crops. I think they failed to eat for what ever reason.