Heat Stress?

[sharon_newsom]

It’s been about 85-90 degrees in Michigan lately, and i’m trying to best to keep my chickens cool (fans, frozen foods, fresh water, water with cool bricks, etc.) I came out to feed my girls and noticed one of my hens had a dirty butt. I gave her an epson salt bath and some (what I think is) egg membrane came off. She was acting a little slower than the other chickens as well, but still eating & drinking normally. A few days later, her butt has not been dirty since, and now she’s acting completely fine, but she hasn’t laid an egg in 5 days. Should I be concerned?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

It’s been about 85-90 degrees in Michigan lately, and i’m trying to best to keep my chickens cool (fans, frozen foods, fresh water, water with cool bricks, etc.) I came out to feed my girls and noticed one of my hens had a dirty butt. I gave her an epson salt bath and some (what I think is) egg membrane came off. She was acting a little slower than the other chickens as well, but still eating & drinking normally. A few days later, her butt has not been dirty since, and now she’s acting completely fine, but she hasn’t laid an egg in 5 days. Should I be concerned?

If she's acting o.k., then I'd just monitor her. It does sound like she may have been going through a bit of a rough patch, perhaps having a hard time expelling an egg, but is now feeling better.

Do you provide oyster shell free choice for the girls? If you don't, then I would suggest that you do.