The Hen Hut Flock! - 2019

[DotTheHen]

Thank you! I can’t wait to see what they look like as adults!

 

[DotTheHen]

Hey guys, no pictures today... Roxy was having some health issues this afternoon, and I was busy helping her. I'm pretty sure she overheated. Her wings were away from her body, her pupils were dialated, she wasn't moving at all, and she was drinking tons of water. The climate where I live is humid and hot, but it was a sudden snap from cool weather to muggy today, and I think it just got to her.

But I first felt around her body to make sure she didn't have an egg stuck or something. Then I carried her into the horse barn and turned a fan towards her and started misting her with a spray bottle. She seemed just very lethargic, and definitely not normal. I kept misting and felt the temperature of her comb. It was cool, so I carried her back to the coop and set her by the water bucket.

Then I ran back to the house to make up some electrolytes since I read that they're good when it's hot. Ran back out to dump some in their water, and the babies for good measure. I left them all in their run to just hang out, and went back to check on them. Thankfully, they were all up and moving, even Roxy! Hopefully she maintains her health for the rest of the blazing hot summer!

PS. The entire run is shaded except for when the sun is going down (some light reaches the coop). They have indoor water and outdoor water, and plenty of places to dust-bathe.

 

[drumstick diva]

Please keep a close eye on Roxy, once they have a heat episode like that, they are more likely to have more. Maybe you could freeze some bottles of water to put out for the chickens. They will like being near them. Also shallow pans of water - to stand in,if their feet feel cool, the bird will feel cool.

 

[DotTheHen]

Thank you! I’ll probably start freezing some.

 

[BY Bob]

I'm curious Dot. Where are you (state/country is fine) that it is already so hot? I have this bad habit of asuming everyone lives down the road from me. I'm also curious as to how hot it actually was?

I have dunked hens in cool water on extremely hot days when it seemed they were overheating. Just another suggestion to keep in mind.

 

[DotTheHen]

South Carolina. Yesterday, it was 84 degrees and 42% humidity. It was very sudden from the 70 degree weather we had been having. She’s doing much better today, and she’s keeping in the shade!

 

[BY Bob]

South Carolina. Yesterday, it was 84 degrees and 42% humidity. It was very sudden from the 70 degree weather we had been having. She’s doing much better today, and she’s keeping in the shade!

Thanks for sharing. 20° change has always been my worry point. I'm glad to hear she did better today. Hopefully she has started to adapt.

 

[DotTheHen]

The girls got some bread today! It was a rather chaotic experience... they were all trying to carry the chunks away from the others, which I found hilarious. I also got them some hay from off the ground in the hay shed. They definitely enjoyed conquering the mountain of it!

 

[DotTheHen]

Hey guys! So I took the wire off the top of the chicken run since it was in the way for painting and it needed to be replaced. Well, the babies have taken advantage of it (they were moved into the big chicken coop with everyone else). They have made it a habit to fly up to the top of the run and roost up there. Anyone know of a way to stop them from doing that until I get a new roof? They don't seem to want to jump down the other side, but I'm still concerned. I plan on building them a second roost along with the roost that will be replacing the dog house. Thanks!

^Haddie flying up to roost

They're growing up so fast!

Stripes earlier today ^^^

 

[drumstick diva]

I know you can get spikes or something to keep pigeons from roosting but, wouldn't want to try that with chickens