My hen suddenly died, could it be heat stroke? (Graphic photo)

[Newchick429]

Thank you. I’m not sure of the breed. The feed store just lets them all breed together. We got our black and white, hen from the same batch as her. The owner just called them “mixto” when I asked.

She was much chunkier than that when she passed. As far as smells, the vomit had a bit of an odor. The rooster that comes in our yard bred with her this morning if that makes a difference.

 

[GlicksChicks]

I have never lost a chicken to hear stroke. It might be good to put some electrolytes in the chickens water and maybe give them frozen treats, like frozen berries.
It could also be possible that wild chickens around the area could be carrying illnesses that were passed to your chickens.

 

[Newchick429]

I have never lost a chicken to hear stroke. It might be good to put some electrolytes in the chickens water and maybe give them frozen treats, like frozen berries.
It could also be possible that wild chickens around the area could be carrying illnesses that were passed to your chickens.

Thank you for the suggestion, I’ll try that. It just seems strange, the two “rescues” we have (one went feral and only comes to eat) the other puts herself and the babies to bed in the coop. They never pant like the ones we got from the feed store. Or any of the chickens that come into the yard. But they’re much thinner and rangy. My girls could never make it over the 8 foot fence they clear in the back.

 

[GlicksChicks]

Thank you for the suggestion, I’ll try that. It just seems strange, the two “rescues” we have (one went feral and only comes to eat) the other puts herself and the babies to bed in the coop. They never pant like the ones we got from the feed store. Or any of the chickens that come into the yard. But they’re much thinner and rangy. My girls could never make it over the 8 foot fence they clear in the back.

Putting on weight does make it harder to tolerate heat. That is why chickens typically eat less in the summer and more in winter. Extra weight acts as insulation.

Are your chickens actually overweight or just heavier than the feral chickens? Can you feel their keel bone at all? The bone in the middle of their chest. If you cannot feel it or can hardly feel it, they are overweight and that is dangerous for any animal's health. What do you feed your chickens?

 

[Newchick429]

Putting on weight does make it harder to tolerate heat. That is why chickens typically eat less in the summer and more in winter. Extra weight acts as insulation.

Are your chickens actually overweight or just heavier than the feral chickens? Can you feel their keel bone at all? The bone in the middle of their chest. If you cannot feel it or can hardly feel it, they are overweight and that is dangerous for any animal's health. What do you feed your chickens?

 

[Newchick429]

They just have one type of chicken feed where I live. I’m not sure of the brand, because they divide it into plastic bags. I’ve tried scattering the food, and cutting it down. Maybe a cup and a half a day? They also get any veggie scraps we have. I can barley feel my last “official” girls keel bone. But the chicken that adopted our coop and her babies are healthy and slim. I think my girls just ruled the yard, as they’re much larger than the feral chickens. So I’m not sure how to remedy the overweight problem. I can feed them less of course, but I worry about the chicks getting enough feed.

 

[GlicksChicks]

They just have one type of chicken feed where I live. I’m not sure of the brand, because they divide it into plastic bags. I’ve tried scattering the food, and cutting it down. Maybe a cup and a half a day? They also get any veggie scraps we have. I can barley feel my last “official” girls keel bone. But the chicken that adopted our coop and her babies are healthy and slim. I think my girls just ruled the yard, as they’re much larger than the feral chickens. So I’m not sure how to remedy the overweight problem. I can feed them less of course, but I worry about the chicks getting enough feed.

Maybe put the feed in a place where the adult chickens cannot get to them.

 

[Newchick429]

Maybe put the feed in a place where the adult chickens cannot get to them.

The only problem is I have one hen left, along with a Peking duck and Muscovy mix. The one with chicks, and my ducks at healthy weights.

 

[GlicksChicks]

The only problem is I have one hen left, along with a Peking duck and Muscovy mix. The one with chicks, and my ducks at healthy weights.

Is the one hen left the same breed as the others that died?

 

[Newchick429]

Is the one hen left the same breed as the others that died?

I believe she’s the same mix. They had the same build, but the two that passed where buff/orange color and much more friendly than the wildlings. The one I have left is more overweight than I thought. She was understandably wanting affection and came over for some love. I can barley feel her keel bone at all. She’s also constantly panting, but will soak her feet in the tray, unlike the other that passed.