Is heat exhaustion a real thing for chickens?

[jllracer55]

I cant take a pic at the moment as I had to get back to work, but the poop I saw was very runny/diarrhea like. I misted them with water from the garden hose but they really didnt seem to react to that even. I am afraid it may be some disease besides just my lack of keeping water/food up for them since they keep dropping like flys and are really sluggish lathargic like and are wanting to sleep in broad daylight.

 

[jllracer55]

I let the ones that were active lastnight free range they ate and drank like crazy so its disappointing and frustrating all at the same time.

 

[PachecoPeeps]

Lots of great suggestions so far. Chickens release heat in their feet so as stated above you can dip them in cool water if they are too hot. You can also water the run down so they can dig into the cool earth. If you have a roof over the run spray that down and it will help bring the temperature down. You can also freeze milk jugs, 2 liters, or gallon jugs and put those in pans of water to keep the water cool or lay them out and the chickens can lean on them to cool down.

 

[Kiki]

I cant take a pic at the moment as I had to get back to work, but the poop I saw was very runny/diarrhea like. I misted them with water from the garden hose but they really didnt seem to react to that even. I am afraid it may be some disease besides just my lack of keeping water/food up for them since they keep dropping like flys and are really sluggish lathargic like and are wanting to sleep in broad daylight.

My first guess would be the lack of water and food for the few days.
The second guess would be coccidiosis, which is normally very easy to treat if caught early enough.
You may want to pick up some Corid on your way home. (Feed store cattle section)

Corid Liquid

• Kiki
• Apr 16, 2018

 

[sourland]

48 hours without feed or water can kill birds even during moderate temperatures. During periods of excessive heat it is a miracle that all of your birds have not died. They may be so damaged that all will eventually die. Apparently from your posts this is not the first time they have gone without feed or water. Is there any possibility of finding another home for them if you are too busy to care for them?

 

[jllracer55]

coccidiosis sounds most likely based off the byc posts I read. We have had other chickens for almost 3 years now, this time around yes a bit of lack of attention to what they need but I will learn from it if any of the younger ones survive.

 

[rebrascora]

If they ran out of water and still had food and then later got water, the food they ate may have swelled and impacted inside them when they eventually got water into their system. Or without food or water, they may have eaten something they shouldn't out of sheer desperation.

 

[Eggcessive]

Just a suggestion, I would put either pine shavings or sand on the floor of your coop, just for sanitary conditions. The one picture looks like they are just on a bare wood floor, and coccidiosis would be very likely to occur. A 5-7 day treatment with Corid may be helpful. Dosage is 1.5 tsp of the powder, or 2 tsp of the Corid liquid per gallon of water as the only source, changed daily.

Also you may want to put out some black rubber bowls of water if your chickens tend to turn over their water. The usual waterers are best for keeping water clean and sanitary, but the heavier bowls may be useful for extra water.

 

[jllracer55]

If I am struggling to get them to eat or drink how else can I get the corid in their system? dropper like ive been doing?

 

[Kiki]

If I am struggling to get them to eat or drink how else can I get the corid in their system? dropper like ive been doing?

Yes, if you buy the liquid Corid you can direct dose them each to the beak with a drench dose.

If you are forcing water be very careful to not force it down the wrong pipe.
That can kill them.