Help my silkie seems sick

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Carrie cakelady

Carrie cakelady

In the Brooder
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Apr 17, 2015
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I came home from the store and it 104 degrees out today. I let my chickens free range when it's hot so they can find shade and water. I gave them ice water. Well I got home and my silkie girl 12 weeks old was by her slef in a ball with her beard all stuck and crusty like she threw up. I cleaned her. I cheaked her crop and it was fine. I massaged it and she didn't through up again. She wasn't moving around much seemed off. She is drinking water and eatting but I'm still worried.. I'm a first time chicken owner and need all the info I can get. I'm very attached to her. Help please.
 
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Good Morning Ms. Carrie,

The ice water was a very good idea, although in these kind of temperatures (identical to the temps we have been having here in Georgia) you should try and get an inexpensive box fan from Walmart, 17.00

You can suspend this fan by the handle on the outside of their run blowing through to their coop, they absolutely need moving air in order to have enough oxygen uptake. You should only have to run it on the low setting, and if you place a thin piece of plywood (1/4 inch) over it, it will be protected from the weather. A light gauge 50 foot drop cord can be purchased from Walmart for about 8.00
 


I wonder if she just got all wet while drinking? Or, she drank a lot, too much, and did throw up some water. Sounds like you have been doing wonderful things to help keep them cool.
See how she is doing by morning..hope all is well..will be watching for good news.
 
I'm sure it's been scary for you! Getting her inside and out of the heat is good while she recovers - and eating and drinking is a good sign!
 
I would guess she was sick from the heat, and after it happens once, it's more likely to happen again. I don't think free ranging in 104 degree temps is going to make her feel cooler. You might put a shallow pan of water out in the shade so they can stand in it and cool their feet. Cooling feet makes the body feel cooler. But if she is susceptible to heat issues, I would put her in the basement in a crate or in your house on the bad heat days. Silkies are not the most rugged breed and are affected by weather extremes up or down.
 
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