Chickens dying in heatwave

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i have had to do this for 2 yrs yhis is how old my chickens are . do the other suggestions PLUS DO THIS get a cool pan of water not too hot not too cold take each chicken dip it in water dont dip head plz . holdig legs layon side so it goes under the wings too . this helps keep them from having heat stroke in real hot 9+0s and 100 temps . i have at times had to do twice a day they stop panting and feel better . you can also when they are panting bad get real cold towel to place under the wing and across the back for a couple of mins . it works for mine . good luck keep them with cold water .abd spay water under the bushes they like to hang out

 

[Ab1010]

i have had to do this for 2 yrs yhis is how old my chickens are . do the other suggestions PLUS DO THIS get a cool pan of water not too hot not too cold take each chicken dip it in water dont dip head plz . holdig legs layon side so it goes under the wings too . this helps keep them from having heat stroke in real hot 9+0s and 100 temps . i have at times had to do twice a day they stop panting and feel better . you can also when they are panting bad get real cold towel to place under the wing and across the back for a couple of mins . it works for mine . good luck keep them with cold water .abd spay water under the bushes they like to hang out

Yeah! I just had to dip my cornish x's because it was 90 and they were suffering! it really helped them alot. I also moved their tractor to another part of the farm where it felt cooler. I keep tarps over my coops so the sun doesn't heat them up. Provide as much shade as possible!!

 

[thepick4uchicks]

I live in Mississippi. We have been dealing all summer long with the same excessive heat and humidity on top of that. Today we had our first nice day since May. It has been the worst summer since I can remember. The average heat indices daily have been around 106-110. Not good for chickens at all! It has been a daily struggle. I have almost lost one and it’s not over yet. She hasn’t started back to eating good yet and if we don’t keep the heat at bay enough for her I might lose her yet. Do this for your girls. Get a huge stainless steel casserole serving pan. Fill it will water and save a chick electrolyte mixed in and add ice to chill it down. Then add a bag of frozen peas or some frozen or canned corn but frozen is best because it’s cold. Then let them go bobbing for the veggies. You can do this with any kind of vegetable or fruit. Mine love it and they take in extra fluids, they get cooled down because the food and water is cold, they walk around in it but the pan is not deep enough that it should not be a drowning hazard usually but keep an eye on them just in case. Mine love it.

 

[Flockincrazy]

I put my waterers full in the freezer and swap them out 4or5x a day in the hot hot days and my coop is welded wire fencing on 2 1/2 side's and 1 solid wall

 

[Flockincrazy]

I just read that you have a coyote issue have you ever tried the hot pepper trick if not do it you take the hottest peppers you can get your hands on and crush them especially the seeds put it around your coop and run or property and they will be safe the coyote won't pass the hot pepper line reapply every month or after a big rain I have been using it for years and haven't seen a predator in yrs

 

[coach723]

All good ideas that have been posted. I nearly lost one yesterday. Heard a ruckus in the coop, found one collapsed, limp, still breathing. Quickly got her to a hose and dowsed her everywhere, especially under the wings. She recovered just a little, brought her in and sat her in the sink filled with cool water for 20 minutes, until her breathing was more normal and her temp was down. She was still loopy and unbalanced, but a little more normal. Got some electrolites in her and she spent the rest of the day and last night in my bathroom in the A/C. This morning she was looking really good and desperately wanted outside with the others. I wasn't sure she would make it through the night, but luckily I got to her in time, doesn't always happen. I use most of the things listed by others here, sometimes it's just difficult and time consuming. If possible, when you know you are having issues, having a bucket or two sitting ready with cool water for a dunking in an emergency can be a lifesaver. I'm really hoping for cooler weather soon!

In a pinch you can make your own electrolites, lots of recipes on line:
8 teaspoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon potassium chloride (optional, can be found as a salt substitute in stores, leave it out if you don't have it)

Stir or whisk the dry ingredients in a small container with a lid.( If you don't have the potassium chloride, you can just omit it.)

To use, measure out 6 teaspoons of the mixture into a gallon of water (or add 1.5 teaspoon to a quart of water).

Offer to chicks or adult chickens for several hours as their sole water source and then offer plain water for several hours. Repeat until symptoms subside.

In extreme cases, 2 teaspoons may be stirred into a cup of water and administered by eyedropper a few drops at a time.

Only use when needed in cases of emergency. Discard any unused liquid solution at the end of each day. Dried mixture can be stored in a cool, dry place.

 

[thepick4uchicks]

I just read that you have a coyote issue have you ever tried the hot pepper trick if not do it you take the hottest peppers you can get your hands on and crush them especially the seeds put it around your coop and run or property and they will be safe the coyote won't pass the hot pepper line reapply every month or after a big rain I have been using it for years and haven't seen a predator in yrs

No I haven’t known about this. Sounds interesting but I have two dogs. I am about to get another new dog also so I don’t know if I could but maybe I will once he learns the ropes. He is also going to be one of the coyote deterrents. He will be much larger than my little ones. A standard Schnauzer instead of my Mini and a little Shichon. We are adopting him at 6 years old from a breeding kennel. His owner died and the wife cannot manage the kennel anymore. I’m hoping he has good manners. He is much larger than my little ones. Being male leaving his scent should keep lots of predators away I hope. Back to predators. We have had a family of 6 peregrine falcons - huge ones- and four red tail hawks out hunting all day over our house. Not good. We have kept our little dogs in. Our chicks have been wary all day of the fuss they are making above them but they cannot get to them no matter how hard they try.

 

[thepick4uchicks]

All good ideas that have been posted. I nearly lost one yesterday. Heard a ruckus in the coop, found one collapsed, limp, still breathing. Quickly got her to a hose and dowsed her everywhere, especially under the wings. She recovered just a little, brought her in and sat her in the sink filled with cool water for 20 minutes, until her breathing was more normal and her temp was down. She was still loopy and unbalanced, but a little more normal. Got some electrolites in her and she spent the rest of the day and last night in my bathroom in the A/C. This morning she was looking really good and desperately wanted outside with the others. I wasn't sure she would make it through the night, but luckily I got to her in time, doesn't always happen. I use most of the things listed by others here, sometimes it's just difficult and time consuming. If possible, when you know you are having issues, having a bucket or two sitting ready with cool water for a dunking in an emergency can be a lifesaver. I'm really hoping for cooler weather soon!

In a pinch you can make your own electrolites, lots of recipes on line:
8 teaspoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon potassium chloride (optional, can be found as a salt substitute in stores, leave it out if you don't have it)

Stir or whisk the dry ingredients in a small container with a lid.( If you don't have the potassium chloride, you can just omit it.)

To use, measure out 6 teaspoons of the mixture into a gallon of water (or add 1.5 teaspoon to a quart of water).

Offer to chicks or adult chickens for several hours as their sole water source and then offer plain water for several hours. Repeat until symptoms subside.

In extreme cases, 2 teaspoons may be stirred into a cup of water and administered by eyedropper a few drops at a time.

Only use when needed in cases of emergency. Discard any unused liquid solution at the end of each day. Dried mixture can be stored in a cool, dry place.

Just be very careful not to cool them down in cold water too fast and drop their temp too fast. This can cause them brain damage in a heartbeat. If you dunk them completely and drop their temp in say sixty seconds time over ten degrees this will do it.

 

[KerriChick]

Supposed to be 112 today here in the East Bay burbs of CA. I am readying with iced water bottles in several water dishes and will have a bucket of water on standby. They free range in our mulched yard and they have a favorite bush they hide under to stay cool. I watered the mulch thoroughly so it will be cool for them when they dig down into it and will mist their areas as needed. They made it through ok yesterday and it got up to 105. Helps that the grassy part of our yard where they like to hang gets good shade in the afternoon and the ground stays cool. Already got my eggs from my layers today so they should stay out of the coop area. Still stressful for all of us!

 

[thepick4uchicks]

Supposed to be 112 today here in the East Bay burbs of CA. I am readying with iced water bottles in several water dishes and will have a bucket of water on standby. They free range in our mulched yard and they have a favorite bush they hide under to stay cool. I watered the mulch thoroughly so it will be cool for them when they dig down into it and will mist their areas as needed. They made it through ok yesterday and it got up to 105. Helps that the grassy part of our yard where they like to hang gets good shade in the afternoon and the ground stays cool. Already got my eggs from my layers today so they should stay out of the coop area. Still stressful for all of us!

I feel your pain. Thankfully we are only at 90 with a heat index of around 100. Small potatoes compared to what it has been. We are so sick of it! My pullet that has been so tired of it is finally perking up and back to her old self and moving around well, eating her feed, getting after her treats, chasing the others, and coming after me like usual to see what Mama is doing like usual. I am so glad. Thanks be to God this Sunday. Now I don’t have to worry so much about her or them! Hallelujah!