Heatstroke and unknown disease

[lpb12]

I live in RI and currently we are having a hot spell it is very dry and extremely hot (90-95) and when I let out my chickens one of them was totally limp and for lack of better words panting like a dog would. I have cooled her off with water and gave he some too, see is currently sitting in the shade in her pen. I also have another chicken (I do not know what breed) with what seems to be a large bump on he breast (about the size of a golf ball), she is still laying and does not seem to be in pain but vets are not cheap and i want to see if I can cure it before getting a vet to look at it. The underside is bare of feathers and when she leans to peck at the ground it wobbles if anyone has any idea of what it is I would appreciate the help. I will post some pics later when I go to check on the heat struck one.

 

[MuddyBootsPA]

We are in PA & it is very hot here, as well. Yesterday I put a galvanized tray (about 3 inches deep) with cool water, ice & frozen cucumbers in their pen. They LOVED it! I also have been filling their waterer with chicken Gatorade (probiotics & electrolytes) yesterday & today. I check on them to change their water throughout the day to make sure they are cool. I also heard a mister that attaches to your hose works great to keep the area cool. So maybe try buying a mister for them. We also have rabbits & they really enjoy laying next to frozen water bottles.

 

[TXchickmum]

You might want to get a mister to attach to your water hose during the hot weather. You can hang it from a tree or place it near the run and it will keep a very fine, cool mist on your chickens - especially if there is any breeze. Also, a fan is a great way to help cool. (We have temps that reach 105+ in the summer, and I hang a mister from the tree next to the run and have two fans near the run that blow the mist toward the chickens. They love it and it does help cool them.) Make certain to keep a check on the drinking water, too. -might be good to add ice or some sort of ice pack to the waterer to help keep it cool. I shovel ice into the waterers three times per day during the hottest months. -water stays good and cool.

As far as the bump is concerned, is it a growth or a discernable mass under the skin? Could it be a full crop? -sounds like my hens after they've eaten well and have a full crop. When they run, the full crops wobble and it does look weird.

-hope everything resolves with your chickens and all is well!

 

[ten chicks]

I live in RI and currently we are having a hot spell it is very dry and extremely hot (90-95) and when I let out my chickens one of them was totally limp and for lack of better words panting like a dog would. I have cooled her off with water and gave he some too, see is currently sitting in the shade in her pen. I also have another chicken (I do not know what breed) with what seems to be a large bump on he breast (about the size of a golf ball), she is still laying and does not seem to be in pain but vets are not cheap and i want to see if I can cure it before getting a vet to look at it. The underside is bare of feathers and when she leans to peck at the ground it wobbles if anyone has any idea of what it is I would appreciate the help. I will post some pics later when I go to check on the heat struck one.

The one with the "golf ball size" sounds like her crop. Crop expands when they eat,after food has been digested,crop retracts back to normal size.

Yes,watch for heat stroke,chickens body temp is around 104-107 degrees fahrenheit,once it reaches around 113 degrees and up,they are in danger. Chickens have no sweat glands,they rely on their respiratory system to cool themselves down,that is why they pant. You should keep some pails of COOL(NOT COLD)water in the event one is showing signs of heat stroke,submerge in the cool water up to neck,this will immediately drop her body temp. and possibly save her life. Hose down coop during day to cool everything down. You can also put frozen water bottles/milk jugs in coops and nest boxes(chickens will lay against them)fans,frozen watermelon is a great treat on a hot day.

 

[lpb12]

I think it is just food and we need to just add more gravel. When I put in the gravel I pour it into the feeder and shake so I think I might just need to add more to her food but the wierd thing is she is the only one with it as opposed to all of the becuase they all eat the same food. thanks for all the help guys if I ever have another question I will come here