Electrolyte problem

[threehorses]

I think it's heat and of course age. Do know that when a bird suffers heat exhaustion, when it "goes away" it really hasn't gone away. It can effect them, after only one episode, for at least days. So add to that three more episodes.

Is there any way that you can keep him in a smaller area that you could cool with a fan or misters? It seems to me the problem is simply heat (and its effects on the body and its latent issues). But the cause of the fainting is the heat anyway - so if that could be reduced, perhaps another year of a wonderful rooster.

The most important thing will be sure that he constantly has the electrolytes and of course watermelon would be great if you have that, too - a cooler area, etc.

 

[dustbath]

When it hit 85 today, I whisked him down to the cellar (about 15 degrees cooler). I'm hoping that if I keep him there during the hotest part of the day, he'll survive the rest outside, where he's used to being. HE doesn't like it down there and I'm worried about rodents getting to him but that's the only cool spot available.

What I don't get is why he collapses early in the morning, assuming it's heat related. Both today and yesterday, he was fine at sunrise but then a little later collapses (earlier today than yesterday). It's still nice and cool then.

 

[dlhunicorn]

I see no mention in your thread of what he has been eating/what kind of feed you are giving him... >???

 

[dustbath]

Until a couple of days ago, I was giving him a mixture of layers mash (he's with a productive hen) and scratch grain. I read that scratch can increase heat-related problems so I dropped that. He's out most of the day, rooting around, and I've been hand feeding him strawberries frequently. I've also added a vitamin-electrolyte mixture to the water, along with some sugar. I tried feeding him cooked egg, but he doesn't seem to want it. Likewise yoghurt and oatmeal. He doesn't seem to be eating a tremendous amount in general but is interested in the mash. None of the other chickens are eating a lot either (neither am I, for that matter) and I've assumed that was because of the heat.

 

[threehorses]

Quote:
Feed intake does indeed drop in the summer for poultry under heat stress. Good that he's eating the mash. And yes, corn in scratch is supposed to be a hot food. I still feed it, even down here on the gulf coast in Texas, but I prefer in the summer to give whole (horse-type) oats, with hulls and all (and of course grit) as it's higher protein, less heat, and is just a nice food. The birds love it. THe drawback is that you generally have to buy it in 50 lb sacks. But if you ever have any horse people that you know and can split it, it's a nice alternative.

I'd try a damp mash with him, but if he's eating normally then at least there's that.

 

[dlhunicorn]

At his age he will need less protein and stopping the grain/scratch will help immeasurably (although it might take a while to see the results of that) .
You should get a non-layer feed (like grower) > one that does not have the high amount of calcium that laying hens need... too much calcium/protein causes problems > mainly in the kidneys (urolithiasis)... the kidneys are important in maintaining electrolyte balance >read here:
http://www.wattnet.com/Archives/Docs/KIDNEY.PDF?CFID=25710&CFTOKEN=74030876

 

[Ashmeade]

Pedialyte can assist too with heat stress to rehydrate and provide electrolytes...

 

[dustbath]

Thanks for the kidney link: it's very informative. I have grower pellets for my pullets, so I'll start switching him over to them.

When he's down in the cellar, I notice 2 other things, which may be clues. I can sometimes hear him breathing. There's no background noise down there, unlike the backyard, so I don't know if this is normal or not. Also, he occasionally looks as if he's going to crow (neck stretched up, beak opening wide, just as if a crow is about to emerge) but makes no noise. I haven't noticed him doing this outside. Is it something to do with the strange environment? Or does he maybe have congestion in his lungs, possibly from congestive heart failure, as suggested?

Also, is there any danger that by adding the sugar and vitamin/electrolyte mix to the water, I'm making it unattractive to them? I mean, will it taste or smell funny and make them avoid it?

 

[dlhunicorn]

You should add only the electrolyte mix (do not exceed the dosage on the package) and not sugar.
There might be a ventilation issue in your basement or perhaps fungal spores which he may be reacting to which you have not noticed?

Have you looked in his beak to look for placques (yeasty placques or "gunky" stuff in roof ou mouth or along beak or at the back)

 

[dustbath]

The local vet gave up and suggested I phone Cornell Vet school. Based on the description of the symptoms, they suggested that he likely has an ear infection, which my local vet agreed was a viable diagnosis. An antibiotic was prescribed.

I hope this helps! Thanks for all the input and advice!