Heatstroke and after effect

[SW31]

My large Sussex hen, Sammi, suffered badly from heatstroke a week ago. She’s about two years old now. We put her in a bucket of barely warm water and misted cold water over her. She was mentally out of it. She wouldn’t stand up at first and when she did she couldn’t straighten her toes so my husband gently straightened them out for her.

As she refused to drink we had the vet visit as there was no way I could get her to the surgery in the state she was in. The vet checked her out and showed us how to encourage a chicken to drink.

Later in the evening she was fine. She was laying regularly but has now stopped. My concern is she’s losing a lot of her feathers - almost looking like she’s melting again, which she did last October time. Is the feather loss due to the heatstroke shock or something else I should be concerned with?

 

[SW31]

Sorry, that should read as molting.

It’s still very hot here although thankfully more in the 30c than the 40c we’ve been having!

 

[DolceVita]

I would recommend going out and getting electrolytes for chicken. You can get them at any pet store like tractor supply. It’s called sav-a-chick

 

[SW31]

Would I still need it a week later? She’s eating and drinking ok now.

I have Nutra stuff which I think is like sav- a - chick.

 

[DolceVita]

Would I still need it a week later? She’s eating and drinking ok now.

I have Nutra stuff which I think is like sav- a - chick.

Yes I do it when ever it gets hot! You can do it as much as you like!

 

[black_fleet]

I agree that electrolytes are good in situations like these, but I would just make my own. Those little packets at the feed store are overpriced. I usually use this recipe. Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[Folly's place]

If you offer an electrolytes in a waterer, also have plain water in another one.
She was near death, and will take time to recuperate. Molting and stopping egg laying are both stress responses, so not suprising. I hope she can get well again!
You have been having awful weather!
Mary

 

[sourland]

In my experience with multiple species there are long term effects/impacts from heat stroke. Supportive treatment and protection from further heat stroke can be helpful. Some animals are never 100 % after heat stroke.

 

[Folly's place]

And a second episode of heat stroke is more likely.

 

[black_fleet]

Would I still need it a week later? She’s eating and drinking ok now.

I have Nutra stuff which I think is like sav- a - chick.

The nice thing about Nutridrench (if that's what you're referring to) is that it is designed for "instant" absorption into the bird's system. This is unlike the electrolyte powders and such which have to be absorped the old fashion way and can take many hours.