one dead n some not laying!!!!!

[Hwlchickmama]

Please help I think I have a problem!!! I found one of my.hens laying unhurt intact.dead in the coop!!! I believe she.was eggbound but I'm not positive I just can't think of any other reason!!! I have been watching my other girls like a hawk n noticed they are not laying as much as they had been!!!! Eeeek! I understand its 100+ deg out.n they are wearing feather coats n they slow down but I'm worried what can I do to aid egg laying and make them more comfortable!!!! Very sad to have lost a girl don't want n e one else to be sick!!!!

 

[terryg]

There are many things that can cause a hen to die seemingly suddenly. It could easily have been heat stroke. If your hens are panting and holding their wings out at their sides, they're stressed. There are many threads ongoing about keeping things cool. I have suggestions here:
http://hencam.com/faq/hot-weather-care/
There are also many ailments that seemingly happen suddenly. Older hens get everything from cancer to infected impactions in their repro tracts. Younger hens (especially ones that are overfed and not active) can have egg laying issues. If a hen looks distressed, the first thing that I do is my spa treatment. It helps a variety of ailments (those that aren't terminal.) http://hencam.com/faq/the-spa-treatment/
So, double check that you are doing everything you can to keep your hens comfortable in the heat. Make sure they have extra water in the shade where they spend their days! Feed properly. Hopefully, your other hens will be fine.

 

[Hwlchickmama]

OMG I didn't put 2 n 2 together!!! Didn't realize the heat was that deadly (well I knew it was but... BLOND MOMENT :-( ) I love the idea of your spa you say to blow dry them I'm assuming I shouldn't do that in the heat and is it ok to do that warm bath in the heat I know it helps every thing absorb but I can't see putting my hot girls in a warm bath :-/

 

[terryg]

If you're were it's in the triple digits, a cool bath is fine! You don't want to put a hen back outside dripping wet. You could pat dry with a towel and leave in a separate crate somewhere with a moderate temp to let her dry on her own. Or, use the low, cool setting on the blow dryer.

 

[Hwlchickmama]

UPDATE!! Well I get the temp. Issue under controle with fans and ice cube treats n as for my baby not laying... After about a week of battling to give her a spa I find out She was laying.... Buuuut I had a egg thief aka a squirl.... Cough em red (egg) handed!!!! Thanks again for the info your blogs are super helpful!!!!