Heat Stroke- Unresponsive Rooster

[CloneFly]

We lost 2 chickens yesterday due to the heatwave here in SoCal. I walked out today to check on the birds and found one rooster laying unresponsive on the ground. I rushed him inside and had cool water pour over his feet for a minute, then his comb and finally placed him in a bin of cool (not cold) water up to the base of his neck. I thought he died earlier and took him out of the water, but I heard faint breathing ad could detect a heartbeat with my stethoscope what else can I do for him? I brought the other roos inside and the chickens have a bin of ice water... I would bring them in too, but I cant have 30 chickens running around the house

 

[alinas2010]

We lost 2 chickens yesterday due to the heatwave here in SoCal. I walked out today to check on the birds and found one rooster laying unresponsive on the ground. I rushed him inside and had cool water pour over his feet for a minute, then his comb and finally placed him in a bin of cool (not cold) water up to the base of his neck. I thought he died earlier and took him out of the water, but I heard faint breathing ad could detect a heartbeat with my stethoscope what else can I do for him? I brought the other roos inside and the chickens have a bin of ice water... I would bring them in too, but I cant have 30 chickens running around the house

I’m so sorry about your losses and your rooster. How is he doing? If you can get him to take in anything, electrolytes or some sugar water (or a combination of both) would help. If you’re up to it, tubing some into him is an option. We can call in some help or instructions if you need.

Idk what the humidity is like there, but here it’s dry and we’re able to wet the ground down several times a day when it’s hot and it helps a lot. It creates an evaporative cooling effect. Maybe that could help the rest of them if you haven’t tried already. What else have you tried? The heat has been awful this year. Hopefully it will cool down soon.

 

[alinas2010]

Post #4 here has instructions for tube feeding, but they’re not far off of what it would be for administering fluids, just change what you’re tubing to an electrolyte solution. The mechanics would be similar. Plus it’s a good pic of chicken anatomy.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ried-almost-everything.1635739/#post-27928755

 

[coach723]

Do try to get some fluids in him. I would alternate electrolytes with plain, fresh water. Time will tell, honestly. Hopefully you found him in time. Organ damage is always a risk. I had one that I found unresponsive, but breathing. Did similar to you, took several hours for her to begin to look better. Was over 24 hours before she would drink on her own. If he won't swallow, it would be better to tube so that he doesn't aspirate. Try dripping onto the tip of his beak or dipping it, see if he will swallow that small amount. Mine stayed inside for a week before I felt safe taking her out, and I re acclimated her to the outside temps slowly by taking her out for a couple of hours during the cooler times of day, and gradually building up. They are at higher risk of being affected by the heat again for a while.
You might try freezing milk jugs or vinegar jugs full of water, put them in front of a box fan that is safely placed, the air blowing over that will cool it a bit, they can lay in front of it. Make sure they have shade, and shallow dishes of cool water they can stand in, will help.

 

[CCsGarden]

My dear friend! I'm very sorry to hear this! I'm praying for your chickens! The heat can be very hard on our dear chickens. Is there coop in full sun all day? Do they have shade or trees to help keep the coop cool?

I would give Ice water to them. Also I give mine watermelon and they love it!