Overheated chicken! Need help ASAP! Paralysed, Not Eating, and is a MAMMA HEN!

[Abbyandherchicks]

Hello everyone!
My lavender Sussex has just recently hatched 7 chicks. They are 3 weeks old today, however, I have woken up to see mamma in her coop overheated. She can move her head but is paralysed. I have separated her to a quiet area in my house, near a window, and left the chicks in a safe shady area. I have given her a cool bath for 5 minutes, gave her water with electrolytes from a seringue and offered her porridge which she hasn’t touched. Mamma has been on alert, but just wants to sleep, but I’m unsure if that is the best for her. She still has a pink comb, but the tips of it are light purple. Wondering what my next steps would be if anyone has any ideas or has experienced this themselves?

 

[Abbyandherchicks]

It has been an hour and no improvements. I don’t know how long she has been like this for!!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Can you post a pic of mama hen showing her discolored comb? Can she walk yet? Also how about a pic of her coop? At 3 weeks she and the chicks should be out and about, pecking and scratching preferably in an outside yard, only returning to the coop at night to sleep, is that the case? Blueish or purple comb sounds like circulatory problem, like heart or respiratory issue. How much exercise does she get?

 

[NatJ]

I have woken up to see mamma in her coop overheated.

...the chicks in a safe shady area.

What temperature is it in your area?

Where do you live? (Not your exact address, just the country or general area of the world. Or for really big countries, maybe also which state/province.)

I don't have personal experience with overheated chickens, but the information might help other people give you more useful advice.

 

[Penpal]

Don't use cold water. Use room temp or slightly cooler. As long as the water is cooler than the baby, er, hen, it will help her to cool down. Cold water will cause the blood vessels to constrict.

 

[Abbyandherchicks]

Thankyou everyone! The temperature this morning was very warm, so I am assuming that was the main cause. In Queensland, Australia right now the temperature is increasing as we head into summer! I have left the chicks in there coop with a run, and mamma is still inside in the cool. In the past hour, she has regained movement and has eaten an egg and some porridge. I am so glad she has improved! What should I do now with the babies? They have been fine today, all together, scraching around with plenty of room like usual. I will keep Mamma inside overnight, do you think with this warm weather the chicks will be fine in their usual coop at night? This hen and her chicks get plenty of excerise.

 

[Abbyandherchicks]

This is Milly (the lavender sussex)

 

[BigBlueHen53]

It's really hard to answer without a pic of the coop and area that they have to be in.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

How warm is it? Can you give temps in both C and F? Does she have room to stand up and move around in the coop? Did you tell us how many chicks she has? And what are you feeding her and the chicks, including treats, grit, etc.?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Oksy I see you said 7 chicks.