Heat exhaustion questions - need help

[pbjmaker]

I have a little showgirl chick, hatched around June 6-7 so it is about 6 weeks old. I am selling it along with three others and had my daughter capture and put them in an large open dog crate (one of those black ones). Being an absent minded teenager lately she left it out in the sun instead of setting it back in the shade. She also didn't put their waterer back in.

Anyhow about 30 minutes later I went to check on them and they were all panting (it's about 82 degrees). I immediatly moved them to shade, got them some cool water and three of them perked up and got a drink. I noticed that this one was stumbling and wouldn't stand straight up, then would lay down and close it's eyes. Brought it inside and put it in front of a cool fan, then forced a little water down it. It seemed to perk up and enjoyed the fan. I left her for about 45 minutes and she seemed perky again so I took her back outside. She immediately laid down in the cage so I brought her back inside. She is currently laying on my bed upright with her beak touching the blanket. If I push on her gently she catches herself but goes right back to sleep. I have given her a few drops of vitamins and some sugar water along with regular water. She will NOT eat or drink on her own.

My questions are - I am thinking this is heat exhaustion as she was fine when captured - does it sound like it to everyone else?

Why did she perk back up then go back downhill within minutes?

Can she still recover? What else can I do for her? How long will it take to recover fully?

 

[pbjmaker]

Does anyone have any suggestions? I am leaving right now to go get some pedialyte. She is just sooooo sleepy.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Pedialyte is good. Keep her inside for several days. Heat exhaustion can fry their bodies ability to regulate temperature. From your description I don't think that has occurred, but I think it was close.

Feed easily digestible foods and pedialyte for about a week. Oatmeal, cooked rice, yogurt and egg are all easily digestible. Give some regular food, but probably not more than half her diet until she is feeling better. You can also give handfeeding formula--sprinkle some into her other food or mix it and serve as a "wet" cereal. If she will not eat on her own, you can syringe small amounts into he mouth.

 

[pbjmaker]

Thanks Sonoran! I think if she makes it though the night we will be over the worst hump. I went and got the pedialyte then asked the pharmacist for a small syringe. He gave me an odd look when I told him it was for a chicken

The chick took the first few drops after I pried her beak open but then found enough strength to pull away when she decided she had enough.

Of course she went right back to sleep...

 

[pbjmaker]

Ok the little guy/gal made it through the night. She is still sleepy but has finally started drinking on her own. I can't get her to eat anything yet, even "treat" type food.

She does have incredibly stinky poo. It is like chocolate pudding and sticky. If you have had a kid - it smells like "sick" poop. This morning she had one really watery poo.

Is this just because her diet is off? Any suggestions on how to get her to eat? Prying her tiny beak open is really hard and she is just strong enough to be stubborn.

I know she still doesn't feel well because she is just laying in her own mess and it is getting stuck to her fluffy white feathers. I've changed her bedding (old towels) four times today.

 

[purpletree23]

Sound like the poor little thing is just 'off'. Just water and no food will do that after having heat exhaustion. When my girls were sick they refused to eat anything except scrambled egg. Make it in the microwave so there is no butter involved. If you have a non stick pan use a tiny amount of butter. After it has cooled mush it up for her and see if she will eat any. If not put a little on your finger and try that. Anything that will stimulate her appetite.

I feel bad for the little chick. I hope she recovers.

 

[zowieyellowflame]

maybe put cooked egg yoke into the water.... so that the water is yellow. Maybe would give some nutrition.... poor thing, what is her name? I have a little one I am feeding because she is undersized. She loves yogurt mixed with cooked yoke and chick starter. Her name is fuzz bucket.

 

[pbjmaker]

S/he doesn't have a name as I was going to sell her. I'm also unsure of what sex she is. Now I'm attached to the lil' bugger and sold all her hatchmates so I guess s/he is here to stay.

S/he is a white showgirl - might name her marshmellow or something along those lines.

Trying the egg. I was going to earlier but was just happy she was drinking on her own.

YAY! She is eating the egg - but only as long as I'm not touching it.

 

[Janie hall]

I lost a 12 week old hdn and a bab guinea toda to heat. I am very sad. We spent so much money on what we thought was the perfect coop but now i guess we r gonna cut 2 more windows in it. I just dont kmow what to do

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I lost a 12 week old hdn and a bab guinea toda to heat. I am very sad. We spent so much money on what we thought was the perfect coop but now i guess we r gonna cut 2 more windows in it. I just dont kmow what to do

I'm sorry for your loss.

We can try to help giving you some tips here on the emergency thread, if you need help with adding more ventilation, etc. you may also want to post on the https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/9/coop-run-design-construction-maintenance as well. (Lots of photos would be great as well

)

For a chick in heat distress, move them to a cool area, you can dip in cool water.Give your distressed chick some electrolyte solution and keep them in a cool quiet area . Depending on the severity of heat stress, they may need to be kept separated for a while and stay out of the heat for several days or more.

Some things you can try to help beat the heat, small pan or pool of cool water a couple of inches deep for them to wade in (put it in the shade), I personally have a fan blowing across the run and one in the coop window. Hot humid days it keeps the air moving anyways, chickens pant to cool down, but mine seem to like to stand where their fluffy butt feathers are in the breeze. Provide shade and plenty of fresh cool water. You can also give some treats like cold/frozen melon rinds, vegetable, etc.

There are plenty of great tips and ideas here on BYC and the internet about how to try to keep them cool.
Hope that helps.

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/07/chicken-heat-stress-dehydration-and.html
http://thebackyardchickenfarmer.com/heat-stress-and-keeping-your-chickens-cool/