Lethargic Chicken

[MissMini]

Hello everyone, I'm becoming a bit concerned about one of my pullets. I went to work today after filling the drinker but may have put it on an uneven surface because when I got back it was bone dry. If anyone lives in the UK they'll know we've got an heat wave at the moment.
So anyway I've immediately filled it back up and put it and them outside for some free ranging and the youngest pullet stayed near the drinker, drinking for about 15 minutes. She then wandered back inside her coop and has stayed there shaking her head every couple of seconds. Hasn't eaten and has very runny poop. They're black jersey giants at about 12 weeks old or so. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I am a first time chicken keeper. Thank you.
Also, my other two chicks seem fine and have gone about their daily routines fine too.

MissMini ~ x

 

[CherishHolland]

Sounds like she is overheated you might want to bring her inside for a little bit to help her cool down by an ac vent or you could submerge her up to her neck in a bucket of cool not cold water. Here is something I do to help combat the heat I fill random sized bottles with lids and freeze them then place the frozen bottles in different areas where my flock likes to hang out,I also offer frozen melon as a cool treat I call it their "ice cream". Make sure there is lots of shade areas so they can escape the direct sun,I also place a couple shallow pans of water in shaded areas for the chickens so they can stand and cool off,I find the shallow dog food pans work best for this or hog pans. If you know it is going to be really hot put some electrolytes in their watering system. I live in Texas and we have had temps reach 112f. I remember the first day it hit a hundred degrees here my poor birds were rushed inside to cool off,and my husband rushed outside to install their ac unit.
Best of luck and Welcome to BYC!
Cherish

 

[ten chicks]

Hello everyone, I'm becoming a bit concerned about one of my pullets. I went to work today after filling the drinker but may have put it on an uneven surface because when I got back it was bone dry. If anyone lives in the UK they'll know we've got an heat wave at the moment.
So anyway I've immediately filled it back up and put it and them outside for some free ranging and the youngest pullet stayed near the drinker, drinking for about 15 minutes. She then wandered back inside her coop and has stayed there shaking her head every couple of seconds. Hasn't eaten and has very runny poop. They're black jersey giants at about 12 weeks old or so. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I am a first time chicken keeper. Thank you.
Also, my other two chicks seem fine and have gone about their daily routines fine too.

MissMini ~ x

If heat stress/stroke,she needs to be cooled down. Chickens have no sweat glads,they rely on their respiratory system to cool themselves down,that is why they pant/spread wings etc. Chickens normal body temp is around 103-107 degrees Fahrenheit(39-41 Celsius)if it reaches anywhere from 113 degrees Fahrenheit(41 Celsius)and up,they are in danger. Keep pails of COOL(NOT COLD)water in yard,in the event of heat stroke/stress,submerge chicken up to neck in cool water,this will immediately drop body temp and has the potential to save lives. Is it possible to bring her inside home,cool her down,give her electrolytes for dehydration,may take a couple of days for her to feel better if it is heat stroke.

 

[MissMini]

Thank you all for the advice. I've popped a ice stick next to her and another couple in the freezer for tomorrow's sun. Currently it's reached 26+ Celsius in the day but is dropping to 14 at night, would it still be okay for me to bathe her in the water or should I wait until tomorrow?


Bit of an update. The ice stick has been next to her for all of 10 minutes and she's perking up and pecking her surroundings already. A huge hug and thank you for helping me, I can relax a little now.

 

[CherishHolland]

So glad she is perking up,I would forgo the bath and just keep an eye on her,the bath is for when you notice your chickens overheating by heavy panting droopy wings like we said cool not cold.