Heat Wave in WA

[HomeFarmlove]

They have lots of deep shade. And I have checked her feet and they look normal. The only thing is that her “toes” curl under sometimes. They seem weak.

 

[Ciggynel]

I was looking this up and it says could be B12 or Riboflavin deficiency. Might be worth reading.
http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/curly-toed-paralysis

 

[HomeFarmlove]

Thank you. I am giving her nurtri drench on these hot days. I imagine they get their b 12 from grubs and worms? Not sure lol.

 

[MrFluffyandGirls]

Panting and laying around the hottest part of the day is a good thing because like dogs it's one way they cool down. Hot chicken standing around with it's mouth NOT open on a hot day, I would be more worried about.
It's hot and humid always near 100 and over with the heat index where I am in the summers and I've never lost a chicken from heat. I give them fresh cool water at all times, plenty of shade, toss in some extra treats like watermelon rinds, seedless grapes. I offer a shallow pool of water made from a old cooler lid that they can stand in if desired.

 

[HomeFarmlove]

Thanks again. WOw, that is hot where you are. I am serious what breeds you have. The CM is a larger bird with plenty of feathers. The smaller birds with less feathers are doing better. Good to know that laying around panting is good : )

 

[MrFluffyandGirls]

Thanks again. WOw, that is hot where you are. I am serious what breeds you have. The CM is a larger bird with plenty of feathers. The smaller birds with less feathers are doing better. Good to know that laying around panting is good : )

I've had Plymouth rocks, silkies of course, Production breeds, RI Reds and now the majority leghorns...I have a small flock, I'm banned from my other half to collect chickens as a hobby,I've widdled down to 10. But after the leghorns fizzle out laying, I'm planning on some more rocks because of the duel purpose aspect.

 

[HomeFarmlove]

Sounds like you have a good brood. I have one RIR and she is doing okay despite the heat. We started with 19 in April and now have 8. We had 6 males and only kept one. One passed away the day it arrived. And 2 have passed on with a mysterious illness a couple months ago. We are learning a lot as we go. We studied ahead of time and took a “chicken” class...but actually didn’t really prepare us for reality. We enjoy the chickens very much, but they are hard work. One farm person told me that having chickens was like having outdoor cats. But I think they are much more than that. Lol.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

We are expecting high 90s this weekend. I have 8 19 week old chickens.

My Chuckoo Maran became worse suddenly, not able to walk well. So I brought her inside and gave her electrolytes, watermelon and some seed. She ate some of all, but hasn’t fully recovered. And, she was having watery diarrhea but now seems to be settled down in her pen in the laundry room. If she is walking well in the morning I will put her back out in the run until the heat gets warmer.

I thought as her left leg is weak she needed to be separated

They have lots of deep shade. And I have checked her feet and they look normal. The only thing is that her “toes” curl under sometimes. They seem weak.

Thank you. I am giving her nurtri drench on these hot days. I imagine they get their b 12 from grubs and worms? Not sure lol.

Get some photos of her and the poop.
How long have you had her?

It may be heat stress, but hard to know - the one leg with weakness is concerning. Do you know if she was vaccinated for Marek's?

I would continue to get her hydrated.
Poultry Nutri-Drench does not contain B2 (Riboflavin) which can sometimes help with leg problems. I would get some human B-Complex and give her 1/4 tablet a day for 5 days.

 

[MrFluffyandGirls]

Sounds like you have a good brood. I have one RIR and she is doing okay despite the heat. We started with 19 in April and now have 8. We had 6 males and only kept one. One passed away the day it arrived. And 2 have passed on with a mysterious illness a couple months ago. We are learning a lot as we go. We studied ahead of time and took a “chicken” class...but actually didn’t really prepare us for reality. We enjoy the chickens very much, but they are hard work. One farm person told me that having chickens was like having outdoor cats. But I think they are much more than that. Lol.

I agree, my cat is allot more self sufficient and less needy than my birds! The birds are my babies. Esp the silkies, they are technically helpless, useless balls of fluffy eye candy.
I get a few extra when I purchase a new batch of chicks just in case one ends up a rooster or any casualties from predators or disease. But after 30 years of having them and being around them, I've got a better grasp and now it's few and far between unexpected loses. Hindsight has benefited my current chickens.