I wanted to share some information with the readers here on BYC. I realize this is probably not the place to list this but larger fluffy breeds (our English Orps) are at a litter higher risk of heatstroke than small birds although it can affect even chicks. If this must be removed by the moderators as being in the wrong forum I understand.:
Several weeks ago we went out of town on a family emergency. Where we were in PA the temps were 75 and rainy. We were only gone for the weekend but the heat was extreme here at home while we were gone and our loss was great. (Actually 37 people died that weekend from heat related issues)
I first want to say it was NOT our caregivers fault. They did absolutely nothing wrong. They did exactly what we had asked. Our birds were fed and watered as we had written in the instructions. In 25 years of raising poultry I had never lost a bird to heat so it did not occur to me to tell them what to watch for.
The affected birds that did not die the day we returned home (at 100 degrees) we lost daily that following week. I kept thinking they would pull out of it and get better but after much research I found that the brain damage is already done and they generally will not recover. The birds that were unable to stand DID NOT get better. The ones that were disoriented and weak did recover after a couple weeks of intensive care. Most of the birds lost were from our flocks of huge fluffy imported orpingtons.
I want to add ALL the birds had plenty of water and shade but it wasn’t enough. With the intense heat that they were not used to and no breeze, they needed more. I want to share what we are doing now to help our birds deal with the heat, signs of trouble and what will help once the birds are in trouble:
If the temps reach 90 the birds could need extra cooling, if it reaches 95 it is a must. The sooner the better.
Heat stressed birds will pant and hold their wings away from their body.
In the early stage of heatstroke they will do much the same thing except they will seem more stress and agitated or have a blank stare on their face.
As it worsens the panting will become heavier and the bird could loose balance and be unable to stand and lastly go into convulsions.
THIS CAN HAPPEN TO ANY BIRDS WITH THE HEAT WE HAVE BEEN HAVING, EVEN IF THEY HAVE WATER AND SHADE.
What can be done to help with heat stress and prevent heatstroke:
1. Change their water often. Drinking water that is the same as the outside temperature only adds to the problem. It could need to be changed every couple hours or more. When you change the water dump the old water on the ground in their pen to help cool the ground they are walking on.
2. If the birds are inside keep the air moving, a fan or open windows, but moving air is a must. When the chicken release the heat through its body the heat hovers around the birds and it is still unable to cool. Moving the air away from the bird will greatly help it cool it’s self.
3. Electrolytes in their water will help their depleted systems because of excessive panting to stay cool.
4. Birds help cool their blood by circulating it through their combs and wattles. Sponge them in cool water if they are overly stressed.
5. Mist or spay their coops with cold water (mist inside if necessary) I even mist the birds if the humidity is not overly high so they will dry.
6. Place jugs filled with ice around randomly in their coop or in pans of water, they will lay against it if need be to stay cool. I have even seen my chicks lay against their waterier to cool.
7. And lastly if your bird is in trouble you can submerge it in a bucket or pail of cool water (not cold as that could cause shock and seizures) to help cool it’s body temperature. By feeling your birds feet and legs (or combs) you can pretty much tell if they are getting cool.
If anyone has any more tips or suggestions I am always open to new information as I am sure a lot of the readers are. I hope this information helps to keep your birds safe in this horrible heat wave we are having
