Please help...my chicken is sick

[lilakate]

I went out to the coop this morning to let them out and my RIR hen was laying in the corner. She's breathing and only moves a little. We are in WV so maybe overheated? But even in the morning? I have her in the garage and have been putting water on her. She is trying to get up and shakes her a little when the water goes behind her neck. What can I do??

 

[Glasshen]

Can you put her in a place that is cooler? If she can drink, provide her with ice water. There is a product called Save a Chick that is an electrolyte powder that can be added to the water, that helps chickens a lot in the hot weather. Some people put fans in their coops to cool it down for their flocks.

I give fresh cold water several times a day when it is hot. The other day I put the sprinkler on in half their pen. They avoided that half, but I think it made it a little cooler. Some people put ot chunks of frozen watermelon for the chickens to eat to stay hydrated, and I bet they would get some electrolytes.

Good luck, hope that she will be ok, it's been a while since you asked.

 

[chickschool]

You can also buy blocks of ice to put in their water container. It takes longer to melt than cubes. Or freeze your own. I've filled zip lock bag with water and presto by morning I've got good size chuncks of ice.

 

[laurasibert123]

I have a black new jersey giant that is mouth breathing, head circling and not moving a lot. I've brough her inside and have been giving her sugar water with a dropper. She seems to be perking up a bit....we'll see.

 

[chkn]

I'm guessing it was still cool when you found her like this. My guess is that she's eggbound.

 

[lilakate]

I hate to say but I found mites on her and she died. I was hoping it was only the heat. I dusted the others, what else can we do?

 

[Glasshen]

It is always good to know the reasons, and I am so sorry for your loss.

I haven't yet had to deal with mites, but there is lots of info on this site of how to clean, and what to use...but if you've done all that, and you keep trying to keep your birds cool, I guess things are as good as they can be.

With these creatures there is such a learning curve. They teach us so much.