Today I found my chicken laying in direct sunlight and shaking/unable to stand

[chikensandhen]

I went out to water my plants and I noticed my hen was dust bathing right in the sun (or so I thought), it was 95 F too and I knew something was not right so I immediately went to get her to put her in the shade and put cool water on her feet and comb. She was hot and I have no idea how long she was out there. I brought her inside for the day and she appeared a bit distress but was drinking water but she stayed in the cat carrier all day. I tried taking her outside when it cooled down later on to see if she could stand but she could not stand at all, her legs bend and she has no strength.

I am really confused and I have never had this happen, her comb looks good and she was fine yesterday and in the monring when I opened the coop and all my other hens and the rooster are doing good too. There is also an off smell emanating from her.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I'm so sorry for your hen. How is she doing now that it's cooled down?

Heat stress is a real danger. Do you have electrolytes? She is probably dehydrated. I'm glad yo hear she's drinking, but electrolytes will help.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

Poor girl... I agree with @Aunt Angus that you should get some electrolytes into her.
Maybe get some tepid water (not too cold or it might shock her) and apply the water to her feet a little bit. Don't dunk her because it'll stress her out more and she could die of stress.


I've heard of chickens actually "cooking" in the heat, so maybe that's what you smell? Good thing you found her in time, keep her in a cool place indoors until she's better.

 

[chikensandhen]

Hi all, thank you for the tips. Today she woke up a little better, she reacts more and moves her head but is still completely immobile otherwise. She refuses to eat as well and I put some gatorade in the water.

Also I noticed another one of my chickens is now starting to show the same symptoms. She is being very unusually lethargic, she stands and walks a bit but mosly just lays even when all the others come rushing for food. It's weird because yesterday she was fine and the night and morning are cool so I'm starting to wonder what it is. She is still outside as it is not hot yet only 79F but if she stays like this I will have to get her inside as well. They are both buff orpingtons btw and I also have a third buff but she's doing fine now.

 

[chikensandhen]

I forgot to mention that about a 4 days ago I noticed a foul taste in some of the eggs, namely the brown ones which are the ones these hens lay. I couldn't finish eating it and had to throw it out, I had not thought much of it, as they sometimes eat too many bugs and the taste changes but this time the taste was pretty bad. Now I am suspecting that this is not a heat related illness. My other hen is still not doing well, she tried to get up but was dizzy or something, she panicked and had to lay back down, and I am starting to freak out because we did eat some eggs, not many but now I am worried we might get sick as well. I told my family but they said they could not taste anything off about it, again only the brown ones had the bad taste so I am not sure what to do.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Let me tag the usual experts. They must get tired of us bugging them, but they're the best.

@azygous
@Wyorp Rock
@Eggcessive

 

[azygous]

I always advise treating for the simplest most obvious thing first. Always give electrolytes at the first suspicion of heat stress. If it's Gatoraid, give undiluted. If you have a powder mix, make a solution according to directions on the package. If you need to make your own, mix one cup water to one teaspoon sugar and a pinch of salt and baking soda. Double or quadruple that if necessary for several chickens.

Another cause of such symptoms is botulism toxin from eating contaminated insects from the bottom of a compost pile. That would require an antibiotic if it hasn't killed the chicken in the first 24 hours.

Toxic plants and berries can also cause these symptoms. There are also poisonous insects that can produce these symptoms. Knowing your location would make it possible for us to research further causes.

I wish providing location was a requirement for joining and posting here Frankly, some of us are weary of asking for this info practically every time we respond to a thread.

 

[chikensandhen]

Thank you everyone again for the responses. My original hen is layed flat on the ground and is not drinking anymore, neither of them are. The second one can stand but when she tries to walk she has a panic attack or a seizure I am not sure. She begins to walk in circles and her right eye then dilates and contracts back and forth.

We live in Caldwell, Idaho btw. I am not thinking plants are the issue as I do not notice any new plants anywhere in my backyard. All my other hens and rooster appear fine and normal still.

So as I said I noticed the off taste in the eggs these hens lay 4 days ago, I'm not sure what the correlation is but that would make me believe they have been sick since then but I'm no expert so I'm not sure.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Thank you everyone again for the responses. My original hen is layed flat on the ground and is not drinking anymore, neither of them are. The second one can stand but when she tries to walk she has a panic attack or a seizure I am not sure. She begins to walk in circles and her right eye then dilates and contracts back and forth.

We live in Caldwell, Idaho btw. I am not thinking plants are the issue as I do not notice any new plants anywhere in my backyard. All my other hens and rooster appear fine and normal still.

So as I said I noticed the off taste in the eggs these hens lay 4 days ago, I'm not sure what the correlation is but that would make me believe they have been sick since then but I'm no expert so I'm not sure.

Can we get a video, or a picture to see what's going on with your birds?

 

[BarnyardChaos]

watching, and hoping for the best....