Heat Exhaustion or something else :( I need help fast

[RollinWithTheStones]

I've been going out 4-7 times a day and re stocking the water bowls (there are 4 large bowls). I count all the chickens to make sure they are taking drinks and if I see one not drinking, I snatch it up and give it some water. Today all the chickens were doing great at 3pm. Went out one last time at 6pm and my bantam had attacked one of my CX and bloodied it's comb. I chased the bantam away (she has chicks) and poked at my CX because it was just laying there gasping. I got it to stand, it was very wobbly, and move a bit and I force fed it some cool water. Once I had it to where I could reach it, I put it in a different cage outside in the shade and force fed it some more water, then I poured cool water on it and it perked up a bit. Then it just laid it's head down on the ground. So I gave it a few minutes to rest and fed it more cool water and covered it with water again to get it to cool off.

When it did stand it was wobbly and it curled it's toes up on one foot.

Heat exhaustion or something else?

High today was 85 and party cloudy, more sun then clouds. The chickens can go in and out of the coop as they please and after 1pm their run is shady and there is even water out in the run. They went outside twice today (2pm and 6pm for about an hour) at 2pm I forced all the chickens out at 6pm I let them pick.

 

[Buster52]

CHF, I'm thinking, probably from the over exertion. I lost one big Cornish today that likely has some CX in him, from a fight he seemed to be winning yesterday. Bent his head from exaustion and never recovered.

 

[mmktdox]

CHF, I'm thinking, probably from the over exertion. I lost one big Cornish today that likely has some CX in him, from a fight he seemed to be winning yesterday. Bent his head from exaustion and never recovered.

X2. Their cardiovascular systems are not great, even when free ranged and they don't take shock or surprise well at all! I don't let my layers near my meat birds for that reason. The layers are busy, inquisitive and sometimes a bit agressive and the CX just don't have any fight in them. Sorry for your loss ((

 

[RollinWithTheStones]

Usually my CX run away, but this one didn't. I wish I had enough room to keep the separated, I just have 12.
I tried to get into the processor, but they didn't have an open slot until the 23rd

I've been trying to find someone in my county, but with no luck. They were 8 weeks on April 28th.

 

[EweSheep]

Better get down and start butchering them. Otherwise you would not have much left on that date. Particuarly with the heat.

If I find one that is down like that, I would butcher it right on the spot. They just don't bounce back like they used to.

 

[RollinWithTheStones]

I don't know how to butcher and I'm not comfortable doing it on my own, I know it sounds dumb, but I just have no clue what I'm doing. I'm trying to find a place to do it sooner or a person to do it sooner, but I've not had any luck.

Unfortunately it's easier to find someone to process a cow then it is to process a chicken.

 

[Buster52]

There's a bunch of pros on here from Ohio. Maybe you are close enough to them. Or maybe put a call ont the Ohio Where are you? thread.

 

[RollinWithTheStones]

Thanks, I'll give it a try.

I have to do something quick I went out to check on my broody and found one dead with three of the chicks cuddled up to it. Luckily I was able to remove it quick, the one I removed earlier appears to be doing much better, drinking a lot of water and looking very alert.

 

[Buster52]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/12049/ohio-come-on-buckeyes-let-me-know-your-out-there/1570

 

[RollinWithTheStones]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/12049/ohio-come-on-buckeyes-let-me-know-your-out-there/1570

Thanks I'm reading it now