How long will they live?

[fishkiller]

I was forced to evacuate my home near Ramona, where the San Diego Witch Creek fire started. The fire was 2 blocks from the south side and 6 blocks from the east side of my house when i left. I got the two dogs and me and my girlfriend out, nothing else.

Sadly, my chickens were left in there coop as I had no time to cage them and put them indoors. Assuming they were not burned to death or die from smoke inhalation, how long will they live once the food and water supply runs out?

It is now going on three days and there is no telling when we will be allowed to return to the area. I expect the food is gone today, possibly water as well. I put a few extra large tubs of water in the coop and in the run, but with the wind and 90 degree temps i have my doubts about how long it will last. There are 7 hens 1 roo and 1 muscovey duck in a 10 by 10 coop and 10 by 15 enclosed run. The coop has lots of open ventilation windows because it is normally never that cold here. I am feeling pretty bummed out.

 

[Redfeathers]

Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry to hear that you are going through that. I don't know the answers to your questions, but it seems that if they are able to scratch around they can live for awhile, the water issue I'm not sure about unless they have access to some dew on the grass or something like that...but I do know things are incredibly dry there. We are sending prayers for rain in California and relief for all of the people suffering with this right now. I hope you get to go home very soon. Please keep us posted on how you are doing.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

That's a tough call. I don't know. I'd expect that they'd live quite a while without food as long as they don't start pecking at each other. Without water I'd only expect a couple days. Hopefully the tubs of water will last a while. Good luck, hopefully you can get back there soon.

 

[jjthink]

This is horrible. I'm so sorry. I hope you or someone can get in there very soon and get them out.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

Without food they can live for more than a week. Without water it will be significantly shorter, but the will to live is often very strong in any animal. I am so very sorry you have to face this. I could not imagine going through something such as this!

I will definitely keep you in my mind and I hope that they come out of this ok!

 

[Dustin Biery]

Im affraid everyone is right. Please let us know if there is anything that we can do to help. And please keep us abreast of any updates..

 

[bantymum]

I hope they do survive, and i hope that your house is Ok too
I will be thinking of you and waiting for you to be able to get back there,
prayers and hugs
Helen

 

[Rocket Raley]

I hate to be the one who ask this question.

But why did you leave them caged with no way to escape the fire?
I understand not being able to transport them, but you could have left the coop door open.

Please see
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=19981

 

[bobbieguyette]

My heart goes out to you at this tought time i sure hope the birds are ok and they at least let you back home to get them out even if only for a few minutes

 

[Hotwings]

I hope and pray ieverything will be ok. I have been seeing alot of press on the Calif. fires. I am sad to say that alot of people with livestock may be forced into this same situation sooner or later. Unlike dogs and cats and caged birds it is almost or very difficult to pack up numerous livestock, especially the ones that weigh several hundreds of pounds. It is bad enough the shelters don't take in pets for those that have no homes to go to let alone livestock. I suppose most would see that the animals have a acess to escape if it came down to this. Has anyone here had to be faced with this same situation whether it be fire, tornado or hurricane?