Hypothermia ?

[Birdsong 82]

I got my coops to lock them up later than normal due to sick goat. I have a loner girl stays in her own area in the back side of the main coop but the other chickens reject and attack her. She stays on her own till I get some pullets in the spring…. Anyway… I bring her inside every night and take her out in the morning but tonight I thought she was gone couldn’t find her. Then I found feathers wedged under a homemade wood structure and thought she was killed but seems she had gotten herself stuck under it on top of ice (literally frozen snow) and think she must’ve been there a while. I’ve gotten her to eat a little bit of white cat food that I put a lot of water in when we got inside and got her dried off and she seems warmer but she still breathing heavy. She wants to use her wings, but I’m just hoping her legs are OK and she’s OK. what are signs of hypothermia and chickens I’ve never dealt with it

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Do you have a heating pad? I'd put it on low or medium and out a towel over it and set her on that to warm her gradually and also give her warm sugar water. Put 1 tsp sugar in 1 c warm water with a pinch of salt and a pinch of baking soda, mix well, put some in a little cup and hold it up to her beak to drink. This is for shock. Keep her in a warm dark place. Keep an eye on her and don't let her overheat.

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

I got my coops to lock them up later than normal due to sick goat. I have a loner girl stays in her own area in the back side of the main coop but the other chickens reject and attack her. She stays on her own till I get some pullets in the spring…. Anyway… I bring her inside every night and take her out in the morning but tonight I thought she was gone couldn’t find her. Then I found feathers wedged under a homemade wood structure and thought she was killed but seems she had gotten herself stuck under it on top of ice (literally frozen snow) and think she must’ve been there a while. I’ve gotten her to eat a little bit of white cat food that I put a lot of water in when we got inside and got her dried off and she seems warmer but she still breathing heavy. She wants to use her wings, but I’m just hoping her legs are OK and she’s OK. what are signs of hypothermia and chickens I’ve never dealt with it

Make sure its not too much warmer where you have her now. temp changes are tough on chickens…..poultry Electrolytes in the water if you have it. Keep her in a comfortable place to spend the night. i hope she makes it

 

[Birdsong 82]

She stayed in a box on my bed for the night.(with nice try towels padding it) I’ve been having to syringe drop water to her. When I try to put a small bowl for her it’s almost like she can’t see she’s still breathing heavily. I was a little scared to use my heating pad as even on low it gets REALLY warm so. Maybe I’ll put it under her box soon since she’s now dry and normal temperature. I didn’t want to throw her into temperature shock. I just hope she can use her legs again. My cat has been keeping a close eye on her. (He has a fondness to her but I don’t leave them alone together)
I’m gonna add some sugar to her water next round and give her a little more wet food after a little more rest
I’m just glad I found her I just wish I knew she was stuck

 

[Birdsong 82]

The fact I have a chicken in a box and a cat on my bed all night might be why I’ve single so many years haha.

 

[Eggcessive]

I have found the occasional bullied or sickly hen who has gotten stuck in a hiding place and could not get out. It is good that you found her in time, and I would continue to try and warm her, offer some sugar water or electrolytes, and mushy wet chicken feed and soft egg is very good to offer. Is her crop empty or full, hard or squishy? Is she pooping? Has she laid an egg recently?

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

She stayed in a box on my bed for the night.(with nice try towels padding it) I’ve been having to syringe drop water to her. When I try to put a small bowl for her it’s almost like she can’t see she’s still breathing heavily. I was a little scared to use my heating pad as even on low it gets REALLY warm so. Maybe I’ll put it under her box soon since she’s now dry and normal temperature. I didn’t want to throw her into temperature shock. I just hope she can use her legs again. My cat has been keeping a close eye on her. (He has a fondness to her but I don’t leave them alone together)
I’m gonna add some sugar to her water next round and give her a little more wet food after a little more rest
I’m just glad I found her I just wish I knew she was stuck

Is she still breathing heavy? I hope shes not terrified of the cat staring at her?! Mine will breathe like that when nervous the times I had to bring them inside. They usually calm down once settled and talked to really soft. A small dog crate in a safe, safe dark place covered with a towel or blanket works well keeping them contained and feeling safe. I imagine its important that she eat. scrambled egg cooked in coconut oil is a big hit. I'm sorry your going through this. You've come to the right place for help.

 

[Birdsong 82]

She’s actually very used to the cat. And I kind of realize my milo knows not to hover over her. He just comes and checks on her every once in a while and actually the breathing has been heavy but she has times where she’s breathing normal so I think she’s getting better. I hope I’m trying to find some kind of food. That’s not dry pellets but not cat food so I’ll probably make her some mash, but I think she’s at least doing better. I just hope her legs will start to work again.

 

[Birdsong 82]

Oh, I’m just stating that even though her breathing seems to calm down and she seems to like the cats company I would never just let them be alone together because animals can just be plain unpredictable.

 

[Birdsong 82]

And I’m gonna try the scrambled egg with coconut oil. Sadly, I have a few left so there’s not many eggs I’m getting a day especially this time of year but that’s one or two that would be definitely worth cooking up. Between the goat issues (different thread) and her and then double time at Work because of the snowstorms, I’m exhausted so I would be happy to see her eat something with gusto.