Hypothermic Hen? Updated

[MissE]

A couple days ago I noticed one of my ISAs had wet feathers around her head and neck. The only water in the coop is in a heated, dome type waterer. There is a little snow in the run, but nothing liquid.

She laid her egg that day and was being a typical chicken, so I didn't give it much thought, even though our temps are pretty cold.

Yesterday morning was below 0. She resisted being examined. Her feathers were frozen, but she was acting fine and just wanted the scratch and food bowl. I tried to dry her with a towel, she tried to pack me. She did not lay yesterday, but that is not unusual.

She seemed a little lethargic this morning, but still went after the handful of scratch I tossed in. It was below 0 again, but not crazy cold.

At noon, she was huddled up in the position you see her now. I brought her inside and dried her as she thawed. I got a couple sips of warm water into her. As you can see, she pooped. It's a little green, but its solid and they had spinach yesterday.

Is there anything I should watch for? She just appears to be sleeping. She's been inside for almost 2 hours now.

 

[MissE]

I should add, her crop is pretty much empty. Don't think she ate much today. She is thin, but all of my ISAs have been, and she doesnt seem alarmingly so.

 

[Alaskan]

I would keep her in the box, every hour try to coax her to eat and drink. Some times if you tap the feed and water it will encourage them to eat.

 

[MissE]

I would keep her in the box, every hour try to coax her to eat and drink. Some times if you tap the feed and water it will encourage them to eat.

Thanks. Not sure how she managed to get wet unless my roo did a sneak attack at the waterer. Wouldn't be the first time. I put it up an blocks so their rear ends aren't up in the air (and to help keep it clean) but he doesnt care. She is one of his favorites even though she's not very nice to him.

 

[MissE]

She still pretty lethargic, but willingly drinks water when I wake her up. Offered some scratch mixed with plain Greek yogurt. I mixed it a while ago, so the whey has had a chance to soften the scratch a little bit. Figured that would generate more body heat than pellets. She declined my offer.

Hope she's better by evening. Said I would never have a chicken in the house, and this is the first time one has been in the 4 years I've raised them, unless of course they were dinner. The one room cabin thing isn't ideal for indoor chickens. If my loveable jerk of a GSD hadn't destroyed the small kennel I had, she could go in there, but as it is she has to stay in a box behind a 30 inch ex-pen and he is already eyeing her up.

 

[Alaskan]

Hopefully after a few more hours of warming up she will start to eat.

I had one hen that got chilled this year...no idea why... but it took a several days for her to get back to normal.

Her name is now "Chicken in a Box."

 

[MissE]

She was eating and drinking willingly last night. Wasn't moving around much but had another fairly normal poop. I kept her inside for the night. She died around 1am. Guess she just got too cold, unless something else was wrong.

I did notice she was getting her neck wet when drinking, and would really dive into the water, but then let some of it dribble down her chin when she tilted her head up. Didn't see any obstructions in her mouth or problems with her beaks, but she never showed signs of being wet before this week.

 

[BDutch]

She was eating and drinking willingly last night. Wasn't moving around much but had another fairly normal poop. I kept her inside for the night. She died around 1am. Guess she just got too cold, unless something else was wrong.

I did notice she was getting her neck wet when drinking, and would really dive into the water, but then let some of it dribble down her chin when she tilted her head up. Didn't see any obstructions in her mouth or problems with her beaks, but she never showed signs of being wet before this week.

Sorry for you’re loss.

 

[Alaskan]

She was eating and drinking willingly last night. Wasn't moving around much but had another fairly normal poop. I kept her inside for the night. She died around 1am. Guess she just got too cold, unless something else was wrong.

I did notice she was getting her neck wet when drinking, and would really dive into the water, but then let some of it dribble down her chin when she tilted her head up. Didn't see any obstructions in her mouth or problems with her beaks, but she never showed signs of being wet before this week.

That is most odd..

No idea what went on with her...

So sorry that you lost her.