Question?

[albird101]

So nugget, let go of her brood and decided there old enough to be on there own. Lately she's been acting really different since yesterday, she use to be the most vocal of all my hens, she would even try to crow to! But now she has this very weak call when ever she's calling to the rooster or the other hens.. She also just looks weak, and so beat down! She use to be 2nd on the pecking order and now she's like the 11th, and everyday she's lowering in rank with the same chickens she once use to come out on top! I dunno if it's a heat stroke since its around 110 degrees!! And yesterday it was 104, so I gave her a bath and I put a misting system I the coop for the others.. Any ideas what she could have?

 

[TwoCrows]

Heat stroke will definitely make them ill and at those temps, it can kill your birds. So I would definitely stop by this thread and make sure you are doing all you can to help your birds cope with your excessive heat....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/788391/keeping-chickens-cool-in-summer-heat

But I would also give this bird an overall exam to see if she has any health issues going on. Birds can lose pecking order status when they are sick. Start at the beak and work to the tail. Keep an eye on her poop too. If you think she is sick, you can post a question with as much detail about her condition in our emergency section...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures

I hope she makes a full recovery soon.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Sorry Nugget isn't feeling well, TwoCrows gave you some good suggestions and links to post on. When you check her over keep an eye out for mites/lice, broodys are often more likely to get them since they don't move around as much.

 

[sourland]

Brooding and raising chicks can take a lot out of a hen. Couple that with excessive temperatures and you may have the answer to her poor condition.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC!! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

 

[gander007]

I would put some Electrolyte & Apple cider vinegar in the water oh theat is what I do in this heat because mine were acting like that ......

 

[tridentk9]

In hot weather baking soda might be a better choice than ACV. It allows the blood pH to maintain it's desired level. ACV might send it too low, panting has already lowered it.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

 

[Duckopolis]

Good luck with your poultry raising adventures, and I hope you find everything you need to know. Don't forget to take a look at BYC's very useful learning center (If you haven't already)! The learning center as well as the forum should answer your questions! There is always something new to learn! Glad to have you here! See you around with the flock.

 

[drumstick diva]

I agree with Sourland. Hatching chicks after brooding for 3 weeks or so, really runs a mama down. Your blistering heat is just making it worse. Do you have somewhere cooler she could stay for awhile - like a basement? Will she eat some special treats like cold watermelon, plain yogurt, mashed egg yolk, sliced grapes. Make sure she has cold, clean water.,black oil sunflower seeds, even corn if she wants to eat it.

If you have those "blue ice" blocks they sell to keep food cold for picnics, put one under a towel so she can lay on or near it, if she chooses. I wouldn't be concerned about her low standing in the pecking order. When she regains her strength and is feeling herself again,
then come back and ask how to re-integrate her to the flock.