2 hens with heat stroke - please help

[CrochetnCricket]

We went out to check on our hens at 1. The slight breeze we had this morning died during lunch, and we found two hens in the hen house in distress. We pulled the one who looked the worst out of the house and dropper-fed her some cool - not ice cold - water in the shade. After a couple of minutes, she squawked, vomited some white stuff, then went limp.

We went back after the other hen who was not so bad off, and she was completely unresponsive. Would not take a dropper of water or anything.

Both hens are now inside in our garden tub. I'm not sure if they are even still alive. It looks like one's feathers might be moving a little. Is there anything I can do from here? The rest of the flock is hot, but they are up and moving around. DH is going to our storage for some fans.

 

[TexasVet]

I don't think the fans will help much, because they'll be blowing hot air. I've been sprinkling my run every morning and night, and will be hooking up a mister as soon as I can find it. I've also put up a couple of tarps to block the sun. So far, I haven't lost any hens.

We're in the high 90s today, but they're predicting 100 degree, record-setting heat for the next three days in a row. I'd kill for some rain or a few clouds.

Kathy, Bellville TX
www.CountryChickens.com, www.PivotalForce.com

 

[countrybum]

I use fans after seeing mine hot the other day, I have 2 across from one another and it does keep it cooler than the 100 degree heat.

Rinse the girls with cool water. I know that people think chickens can not get wet, but they can. Rinsing their body with cool water helps a lot with cooling them down. Rinse until they start responding, then take and wrap in a towel to soak off some water. I revived a couple babies this way and they are fine today.

 

[Cetawin]

It may sound crazy but it is worth the effort...

Try getting a dish pan or kitty litter pan and putting some cool not cold water in it and standing the hen in it. And gentl swab her head and body with cool water.

Get some electrolytes in them...dilute gatorade if that is all you can get easily. Then just give them time.

 

[countrybum]

I just used the sprayer on the kitchen sink, it works great and the dirt goes down the drain.

 

[CrochetnCricket]

We just checked again, and rigor mortis has set in in both hens we brought inside. I, too, would kill for some rain. It's in the upper 90s here in Northeastern Oklahoma, with no break in the heat in sight.

We got these hens at auction a couple of weeks ago, so we're not sure how old they are. My FIL says he thinks the two that died are old. I hope we don't lose any more. We have shade up for them as well, but I hadn't thought about a mister. Looks like I'll be going to the farm supply store later!

Thanks for all the great suggestions!

 

[countrybum]

Sorry to hear that. If by chance it happens again, get cool water running over them ASAP, head to tail. Trust me it really helps. I do not know about mister, but my 2 fans are working great. I have fans in my coops, barn and dog run because of the heat.

 

[Cetawin]

Also for future reference. If you are not afraid of needles or sticking them, you can hydrate them with fluids just under the skin.

Question...you got them at an auction a couple weeks ago...were they in quarantine or in with your flock?

Make sure you quarantine new birds for at least 30 days before mixing them with your flock...you could easily wipe your entire flock by bring an illness in.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

FANS AND SHADE even if it is in a building. Open every thing you can and get a cross ventilation going.

LOTS of fresh cool water, NOT 32 degree F ice water. Mist the entire building with water if you can. You can put a frozen water filled plastic bottle in the water as this will just cool things down, but not to near freezing. Take the lid of the bottle so the frozen water will melt into the water in the watering container.

Keep them cool as you can and when the sun does go down keep the fans on them for an hour at least.

If you see your bird in distress bring them inside to a cooler environment. NO WATER just a fan. after they stop panting, then give small amounts of water every ten minutes. LET THEM DRINK, do not force it. Some do pour water over their birds. Chickens can get wet after they have feathered out to adults.

Remember a bird has feathers and they get very hot. Keep the air moving over them even if it is 95 degree air.

When you birds are cooled at night give them electrolytes in a small amount. CHANGE the water in the morning for the new hot day.

Repeat until this heat danger is gone.

 

[CrochetnCricket]

Quote:
The chickens we got at auction are the only chickens we have. DH and I are new at keeping chickens. We are going to get some pullets from a hatchery in the near future, so it's good to know about the need to quarantine.