Heat Exhaustion

[AmandaFMeade]

I have a 12 week old pullet that I am pretty sure has suffered from heat exhaustion. It has been warm here in NC, and although yesterday was cooler, there was no breeze. I found her flipped over on her back and her breathing was slow and labored yesterday evening. (All of my other girls seem ok, and I am taking extra measures to keep them cool). I immediately took her inside, dipped her in a cool water bath, and have kept her inside with AC since. She was still panting, and too weak to stand. I slept with her all night, misting her and saying right beside her.
This morning she seems a bit stronger, can stand a little, but is still weak. Her stool is watery with a little blood. I am giving her water and electrolytes through a syringe as much as possible. I did get her to eat a little yogurt on her own, and have been putting some chopped fruit bits in her beak trying to get her strength up. She does not want to drink on her own, and sometimes will still sit up and pant even though it is not hot inside.
Does it take time after heat exhaustion for a chicken to regulate body temps again? Any other ideas on how to best give her food and water? I feel just awfull! She is so special to me, and I will do everything I possibly can/need to do to help!
Any advice or experience with something similar is much appreciated!

 

[Bear1978]

Are you sure it’s heat exhaustion and not something else wrong with her seeing how the others that are out in the same heat are acting fine?

 

[coach723]

A 12 week old that has a watery, bloody stool sounds like coccidiosis. I would get some Corid and start treatment ASAP. It's available at Tractor Supply stores and many feed stores, in the Livestock section. You can use the powder form or liquid form (most find the liquid most convenient, if they have it), images below. Treatment chart is below, use the severe outbreak dosing. You can also give her some orally if she's not drinking well, dosing for that is here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/corid-oral-drench-instructions.1211991/
I would treat them all. Make sure the medicated water is the only water they have access to during treatment. Corid is very safe and won't harm them, coccidiosis can kill them.

 

[LizzzyJo]

I don't think this is heat exhaustion. I think she is sick. I agree to treat for Cocciodiosis.

 

[PegsEggs]

Hope she is better soon!

 

[Eggcessive]

I agree with treating with Corid for possible coccidiosis. She may have just been starting to get sick, possibly getting a bit dehydrated since coccidiosis causes them to stop eating and later, drinking. Use the severe outbreak dosage of Corid, and I would also give her 0.1 ml of the undiluted Corid twice a day to give a boost. I hope that you can save her. In the future, I would use tepid water for a soak to cool down. I place flat pans of shaded water in my area for the chickens to stand in and cool their legs on hot days.

 

[AmandaFMeade]

Are you sure it’s heat exhaustion and not something else wrong with her seeing how the others that are out in the same heat are acting fine?

Well then others were panting when I went out. This little one is just solid black and seemed to not tolerate it at well. But it possible could be something else.

 

[Eggcessive]

Is she overweight at all? Certain breeds and overweight chickens sometimes do not handle hot weather as well. There also could have been some pecking.order issue with keeping her from food and water, but she is still at an age where coccidiosis can still be a problem. Corid is not harmful to use if she doesn’t have coccidiosis.

 

[AmandaFMeade]

A 12 week old that has a watery, bloody stool sounds like coccidiosis. I would get some Corid and start treatment ASAP. It's available at Tractor Supply stores and many feed stores, in the Livestock section. You can use the powder form or liquid form (most find the liquid most convenient, if they have it), images below. Treatment chart is below, use the severe outbreak dosing. You can also give her some orally if she's not drinking well, dosing for that is here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/corid-oral-drench-instructions.1211991/
I would treat them all. Make sure the medicated water is the only water they have access to during treatment. Corid is very safe and won't harm them, coccidiosis can kill them.
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I’m headed to get some now! Thank you! Would the coccidosis also cause her to pant?

 

[Thombliss]

If her stool is watery it's probably coccidiosis