Hen laying on side breathing heavily

[Anon112]

The run is constructed entirely of chicken wire, so yes, it is as ventilated as it could possibly be. I do have electricity nearby so a fan would definitely be an option I could do. I put a shallow pool of water in the run and they were all very interested in drinking from it but none have been brave enough to actually step in yet, we’ll see if that changes! Most of the time I work from home (it’s my business and it only occasionally takes me out of the house, this week has been one of those rare instances where I’ve had to be away each day). I usually refresh the water several times in a day, especially in conditions like these.

Some animals are just more vulnerable to heat stroke. My sister lost a chicken last year to heat despite having a really shaded run, fresh water on demand, a watered down area in the run, etc. If you're mostly home tomorrow that's great, as you can watch in case she seems to be going downhill again.

Is the partial shade on your run from natural shade (trees)? My run is much the same (totally wire on the top). I put a tarp over part of it (up the side and a bit over the top, blocking where the most intense sun comes from) and the difference it made was amazing. That's the only other suggestion I might have.

It sounds like you're doing a great job supporting them in this heat! I hope your girl is feeling better tomorrow!

 

[Gary335]

Some animals are just more vulnerable to heat stroke. My sister lost a chicken last year to heat despite having a really shaded run, fresh water on demand, a watered down area in the run, etc. If you're mostly home tomorrow that's great, as you can watch in case she seems to be going downhill again.

Is the partial shade on your run from natural shade (trees)? My run is much the same (totally wire on the top). I put a tarp over part of it (up the side and a bit over the top, blocking where the most intense sun comes from) and the difference it made was amazing. That's the only other suggestion I might have.

It sounds like you're doing a great job supporting them in this heat! I hope your girl is feeling better tomorrow!

No, there’s no natural shade. Like you, I covered half of the run with a tarp. I keep the food, water and coop on the shaded side so that they don’t get blasted by the sun all day. There are some trees nearby but they don’t provide much shade until about 4 or 5 in the afternoon.

Thanks for the compliment. I’m still rather new to keeping chickens, but I’m trying to learn as much as I can and do it the right way.

 

[D Uccle Uncle]

I don’t know where to put her other than in her coop. My basement is even colder than the main floor of my house. I don’t have a garage. My shed is about 300° so there is no improvement over the coop. I feel bad, leaving her in the coop, but given the options available (none really) I feel like it’s the safest and best option.

On the subject of cooling a chicken that potentially has been suffering from heat stroke...

I agree with the advice that, after dunking, the bird should not be immediately brought into an air-conditioned space (e.g. 75 degrees). But after a few hours in an intermediate temperature space, I would bring the bird into the same space that I use (around 75-78) until it was on the path to recovery.

If feasible, I would cover the entire run in shade cloth. Moreover, the more that the ground around the run is shaded, the less heat that will transfer into the run.

Assuming a bumblefoot problem, I would consider using some type of antibiotic ointment reasoning that the ointment will help render the overlying "scab" easier to come off later after having been softened by the oil in the ointment.