I have (had) two dark brahma hens who have been healthy and happy, even in the record breaking summer we've had in the Pacific Northwest. Yesterday, Southwest Washington and NW Oregon woke up to dense (for us) smoke blanketing the region. The wind had shifted and blown the smoke from the massive wildfires our states are having, over us. It was bad enough that it caused bad headaches and watery eyes. I haven't had any breathing problems for a few years, but yesterday, it kicked back in. A couple people I know had to leave the area because of their asthma. Today, the smoke wasn't as bad, but health officials were still warning people to stay indoors and limit strenuous activities.
I was gone all morning, but I let the girls out this afternoon. Only one of them actually left the enclosure. The other, who is usually the bossy, "Me first" hen, held back. She was panting a little, but didn't seem to be in any other distress. Panting is par this summer for these girls, with their small combs and mini-waddles, so I didn't think much of it. About 7 this evening, I went out to start our grill and make dinner and only one hen greeted me. The other one had hunkered down in their dirt hole and died. Standing up and alert, although panting a little, at 3 pm, and dead by 7 pm. The other hen seems to be perfectly fine.
So, before I panic and think of all kinds of very contagious diseases, could that smoke yesterday have killed my hen? She has never, ever shown any indication of illness. For now, she's doubled bagged and in a spare refrigerator.
Has anyone else in the Pacific Northwest, or other heavily smoky areas, had any problems with their hens?
I was gone all morning, but I let the girls out this afternoon. Only one of them actually left the enclosure. The other, who is usually the bossy, "Me first" hen, held back. She was panting a little, but didn't seem to be in any other distress. Panting is par this summer for these girls, with their small combs and mini-waddles, so I didn't think much of it. About 7 this evening, I went out to start our grill and make dinner and only one hen greeted me. The other one had hunkered down in their dirt hole and died. Standing up and alert, although panting a little, at 3 pm, and dead by 7 pm. The other hen seems to be perfectly fine.
So, before I panic and think of all kinds of very contagious diseases, could that smoke yesterday have killed my hen? She has never, ever shown any indication of illness. For now, she's doubled bagged and in a spare refrigerator.
Has anyone else in the Pacific Northwest, or other heavily smoky areas, had any problems with their hens?
