Heat exhaustion or other? Legs paralyzed

[ChickChickChicky]

I found one of my Red Stars (just over a year old) laying on the ground on her side in the run this morning. Heat index here was over 105 yesterday, and it didn't get below 80 overnight. It felt hotter and muggier to me this morning than it did yesterday. I've been watering down one end of the run, giving them watermelon, had a fan in the run yesterday, but I know they're all still hot. I brought her into the air-conditioned house (bathroom) and made her a "nest" out of old towels. She has made soft cooing sounds and seems fairly alert, she will drink water from an eyedropper and has eaten a good amount of watermelon. First poop she did inside was firm and normal looking, several poops after that have been watery. Her legs, however, still seem completely paralyzed with seemingly no feeling in them or movement, even when I pinch or pull at them. I've shifted her around a couple times to prevent bedsores, but am beginning to wonder if this is really heat exhaustion or if there is some other problem. There are 11 other hens in the coop & run with her, there's no fighting or problems amongst them. Advice or ideas, anyone?

 

[PoultryGirly]

It might be botulism. Poultry usually limp and then become paralized with legs, neck, and wings. Sometimes, chickens' feathers come out easily with a little tug. There is a medication for it, but botulism usually kills if the chicken is not strong enough to fight it. It is caused by spores that grow in hot weather. Good luck!

 

[ChickChickChicky]

Well, I went in and checked her again, she's still alert. She gobbled down some scrambled egg earlier. I also just checked out her reflexes by holding her up in the air (cradling her chest and body in my hand) and swooping her down (simulating a fall). Her wings work fine, and she also does have some slight movement in her legs. She still has quite a ways to go but at least I know her legs aren't completely paralyzed, which gives me hope. Chickenperson, I fear you may be right about it being botulism because she seems awfully perky, has had plenty of time now to recover from the heat, and honestly the legs seem like the only problem. Does anyone have experience with this, can you give me a timeframe on healing (or death)?

 

[froggiesheins]

So sorry to hear you are having such horrible weather and its affecting your girls. I would keep her in the house until she is completely recovered, [and I am hoping she will recover]. Then put her back outside in the evening so she can get used to the temperature change...Watery poops can come from watermelon [lots of water in it]. Also give her some Sav-a-chick or electrolytes and keep up with the high energy foods.....I pray for her recovery.......

 

[ChickChickChicky]

She is doing a little better this morning! I went in and picked her up to examine her and she has some limited movement in one leg, and when I set her back down she made a (feeble but determined) effort to stand up. Oh yes, and she laid an egg! (I threw the egg away thinking it might contain botulism toxin, any ideas on that?) I do think she'll recover from this (fully????) and am hoping to have her back out with the others within 2 weeks. Yes, I'll have to remember to acclimate her slowly back to outdoor temperatures, thank goodness it at least dropped down into the upper 60's last night so everyone has a chance to recover a little from the heat... I think we can all take the heat, except when it stays hot at night too, and there is just NO relief. We have one more night where it's going to cool off at night, then it looks like it's back into killer temps day and night for awhile.

 

[froggiesheins]

YAH! I pray for her full recovery.....hugs to your girl......You are a good chicken MAMA!

 

[pips&peeps]

I had a pullet get heat exhaustion earlier this year. She was on her side and had no coordination at all.

I was sure I was dealing with botulism or mareks but she slowly recovered after a couple weeks and is now laying eggs.

 

[froggiesheins]

I had a pullet get heat exhaustion earlier this year.  She was on her side and had no coordination at all. 

I was sure I was dealing with botulism or mareks but she slowly recovered after a couple weeks and is now laying eggs.

WOW pips&peeps, your short post has a TON of information in it....Thank you for sharing, we all can learn alittle more from it.

 

[hanginggatefarm]

I raise Cornish x and had a coulple of my birds get the same symptoms. I thought we had a bad problem, but being that I live in Louisiana my first thought was the heat. We attached a fan to the chicken tractor and everyone is happy again.

 

[froggiesheins]

WOW, I forgot about mentioning the all important FAN.....Best investment I ever made for my gremlins.......curious, do you have your fan set up to blow accross the birds or down on them?