Overheated Hen Died Yesterday - Remember to keep them cool

[Rockin' Reds]

Duh...I forgot to mention my girls' all time favorite heat busting treat...frozen watermelon. They absolutely LOVE it and I love giving it to them just to watch the mass chaos.

 

[silkeysandra]

here in texas, it get pretty hot so I put out the large plastic flower pot saucers filled with water under trees for the girls to play in. They get in and splash around a little, then go doze in a shady spot. I also freeze liter bottles of water and lay in wet area in shade for them to sit beside. This seems really popular. I set out 3 big bottles for my 6 hens and that way there aren't any fights for the 'good' spot! ha! I also refrigerate any scraps that I'll be feeding them also.

 

[goldeneggtees]

First I want to say I am sorry for your loss, I know firsthand as many of us do how hard it can be to lose our feathered friends.

And I agree with the below statement wholeheartedly. If you read my recent post, you'll see why. Here it is https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=6744432#p6744432

Quote:

 

[dawg53]

It has been nearly 100 degrees here just about every day, not to mention the smoke from the wildfires. Day before yesterday I noticed my old Light Brahma hen faltering from heat exhaustion and I immediately brought her inside. I washed her down in the kitchen sink, rubbing cool water onto her skin as best as I could. She passed out for a few seconds and I gently shook her and she came to. A very close call, I thought I had lost her. I brought a cage in from the garage into the kitchen and placed her inside the cage for the rest of the day. She has fully recovered and is doing fine. Another hot one yesterday and today along with the smoke. I had her in the kitchen yesterday and she's there now in her cage and as happy as can be.
I'm sorry for your loss and I wish you the best.

 

[texasgal]

Just a little word of encouragement (I think):

Sometimes, just like people, no matter what you do and how hard you try, things just happen. Chickens can have weak hearts .. or other anatomical anomalies. If all the birds are being treated equally and one suddenly dies, chances are it was a weakness in that particular bird. Stresses, such as heat, can increase those chances, but sometimes they just die and we won't know exactly why.

Sorry for your loss..

 

[MadHatcher]

Howling good -- I'm so sorry! That sounds awful! I hope you get it sorted out and it turns out to be something much more manageable.

Dawg53 -- Yes, you're pretty close to me and the smoke here has been awful too. I didn't think about that but it probably didn't help her situation either. I'm SO GLAD that you were able to get to her in time and perk her back up!! That is awesome! It also makes me feel better than I did try the right things to help her at least... and I wasn't just causing her unnecessary intervention. Had she not been so far gone it might have helped her recover.

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
You're only an hour and a half from me and I know yall are in the smoke as well. There's no doubt the smoke has an affect on chickens. The local news recommends that people working outside in the smoke wear masks. The only thing we can do is monitor our chickens closely for anything out of the norm. Good luck.

 

[Katydid2011]

I'm truly sorry for your loss.

 

[feliciamckee]

It sounds like you took great care of her. She was lucky to have you.

 

[Noobchick]

MadHatcher: Im so sorry for both your losses. I had an unexplained miscarriage at 10 weeks. Baby never grew past six weeks though. Like you, Ive found that that experience is coloring how I approach these chickens. (even though it happened 3 years ago and I now have a healthy 2 year old daughter). Strange but true.

Again Im so sorry for your loss. Youre clearly an excellent mama though. Your chickens are lucky to have you, for however long.