No, it's not that hot in coastal NC today, about 84 degrees, and my hens are free ranging in a large backyard for the day, with plenty of shade and water. But there was a black plastic bin of shavings near the coop. I found it tipped over with one of my 2 yr old GLW layers. Marsala had been trapped struggling underneath the pile of shavings and upturned black plastic bin in the sun, for how long I don't know, probably at least an hour. I thought surely she must be dead. I picked her up and she was limp, but her beak was slowly gaping and her eyelids moved. As I carried her inside, saliva dribbled from her beak.
I filled the bathroom sink with tap water and cooled her down in it, holding her head up so she wouldn't drown. I supplemented the cool bath with a few ice cubes. I'm not sure how long I kept her in, perhaps 15 minutes. Her breathing seemed to normalize, and the heat radiating from her skin lessened. After getting her out, I became concerned that I may have cooled her down too much or too fast. I took her temperature, and it seems perfect, 104 degrees, so now I have her covered and protected from drafts so she won't cool down any more.
I have mixed up homemade electrolyte, a quart of water with 1/8 t salt substitute, 1/4 t baking soda, 1/4 t salt, 3/4 t sugar. I put in some Thick-It, hoping to lower the risk of getting it into her lungs. I'm using a syringe to give her a couple of drops at a time.
She is sleeping a lot, but opening her eyes some. Although she seems unable to lift her head, she actually can when she occasionally shakes out her hackle feathers.
Oh my, now she's flapping, trying to stand, but she keeps falling over. I have her on a bed of towels in a box in the house.
Does anyone have any suggestions? Anything I'm not doing that I should? Anything I am doing that I shouldn't? Possible prognosis?
Marsala is a sweet bird. She's very pretty -- he black bands on her golden feathers are wide, bordering a rich bronze center that doesn't become washed out as they age. She was the first to let me pick her up, and the first to start laying. Though her eggs are a little small (55-58g) she's a good consistent layer. I feel responsible for leaving that bin out there. I would hate to lose her.
I filled the bathroom sink with tap water and cooled her down in it, holding her head up so she wouldn't drown. I supplemented the cool bath with a few ice cubes. I'm not sure how long I kept her in, perhaps 15 minutes. Her breathing seemed to normalize, and the heat radiating from her skin lessened. After getting her out, I became concerned that I may have cooled her down too much or too fast. I took her temperature, and it seems perfect, 104 degrees, so now I have her covered and protected from drafts so she won't cool down any more.
I have mixed up homemade electrolyte, a quart of water with 1/8 t salt substitute, 1/4 t baking soda, 1/4 t salt, 3/4 t sugar. I put in some Thick-It, hoping to lower the risk of getting it into her lungs. I'm using a syringe to give her a couple of drops at a time.
She is sleeping a lot, but opening her eyes some. Although she seems unable to lift her head, she actually can when she occasionally shakes out her hackle feathers.
Oh my, now she's flapping, trying to stand, but she keeps falling over. I have her on a bed of towels in a box in the house.
Does anyone have any suggestions? Anything I'm not doing that I should? Anything I am doing that I shouldn't? Possible prognosis?
Marsala is a sweet bird. She's very pretty -- he black bands on her golden feathers are wide, bordering a rich bronze center that doesn't become washed out as they age. She was the first to let me pick her up, and the first to start laying. Though her eggs are a little small (55-58g) she's a good consistent layer. I feel responsible for leaving that bin out there. I would hate to lose her.
