URGENT: Chicken trapped under plastic container for 11 hours in 95 degree weather

[BreadBreadson]

I just went down to lock up the coop and couldn't find my Polish hen. After combing the run we discovered that she had become trapped under a plastic tub that had previously been full of water. After I let the chickens out this morning, as I was walking away I heard the tub flip but as I looked back I saw no indication that a chicken was trapped underneath. I figured I would come back out in the evening when it was cooler and fill it back up. Unfortunately, what I think happened is that my Polish hen perched on the side of the tub, and because the water level was very low, the tub flipped over and landed on her. She has been trapped under the tub in the 95 degree California heat for 11 hours. She will not drink and is acting very spacey and disoriented. I am afraid she is too dehydrated to recover. Should I bring her inside to monitor her more closely? Should I force her to take some water with a dropper or a tube?

 

[SurferchickinSB]

I just went down to lock up the coop and couldn't find my Polish hen. After combing the run we discovered that she had become trapped under a plastic tub that had previously been full of water. After I let the chickens out this morning, as I was walking away I heard the tub flip but as I looked back I saw no indication that a chicken was trapped underneath. I figured I would come back out in the evening when it was cooler and fill it back up. Unfortunately, what I think happened is that my Polish hen perched on the side of the tub, and because the water level was very low, the tub flipped over and landed on her. She has been trapped under the tub in the 95 degree California heat for 11 hours. She will not drink and is acting very spacey and disoriented. I am afraid she is too dehydrated to recover. Should I bring her inside to monitor her more closely? Should I force her to take some water with a dropper or a tube?

I would bring her in, if I was you, so you could observe her more closely. I think I would just try to cool her down, maybe with a fan I would be careful forcing water, sometimes if you force them to take water you can actually accidentilly get water in their lungs. Maybe try dipping her beak in water with electrolytes like when they are chicks.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

You need to get the bird cooled down. Perhaps a bath in cool water followed by being allowed to dry on a towel if you have a cage you can put her in and keep her in an air conditioned space. Hopefully, she'll be better by morning. However, even if she is better, keep her in a cool space for at least 3 days.

 

[Thechickentrainer1999]

Praying for you. Just my opinion I would just examine her a little bit longer (maybe 30 min) and if you notice her continuing not to drink, then that's where I would get concerned but unless you think she is very weak, then I guess you should try a dropper slowly. Mainly just try to cool her down the best you can. GOD bless. JESUS CHRIST loves you.

 

[karenerwin]

I agree with the previous posts that advise getting her cooled off. I think a bath/ standing in water would be helpful.
I am wondering if using a nutri-drench like some people do with chicks would help or not?

I also advise against trying to force drinking with a dropper. If you feel you must, I would carefully drop the water on her beak, near the tip (avoiding her nostrils), I have found that doing this encourages the chicken to take in the drop of water of their own.
Plus, you don't want to stress her more.

Good luck! I hope she recovers!

 

[HuskerHens18]

It's most likely heat stress and lack of oxygen. It's a miracle she's alive!
You got great advice. Definitely bring her inside, keep her in a cool, calm room. Make sure she's as relaxed as possible.
Water is very important, I agree with dipping her beak in electrolyte water. I wouldn't do ice water, it might stress out her body more. But really I think water Is my #1 concern. Dip her beak in every little bit if she refuses to drink on her own.

 

[micstrachan]

Agree she needs to be cooled asap, but perhaps not too abruptly. I would consider this an extreme emergency. She may need to be tube fed fluids. Calling in some more help.
@Wyorp Rock @casportpony @rebrascora @Eggcessive @Hen Pen Jem

 

[azygous]

Its important to cool her down. You can bring her body temperature down without getting her soaking wet. Wet a wash cloth in cold water, ring it out, and apply it to the underside of her wings. Keep re-wetting the cloth in cool water until you see the bright red comb turn to a more subdued dusty red.

This should make her more comfortable and she may take liquids on her own if offered. Get her started by dipping her beak a couple times. Offer her some Gatoraid or Pedialyte to get fluid plus electrolytes into her.

If she refuses the Gatoraid, you may tube her and inject the water and electrolytes directly into her crop. Or you can find an oral syringe and squirt it carefully into the right side of her beak, avoiding the center of her tongue where her airway is located. You want to hit her esophagus as you slide the syringe along the right side of her mouth.

 

[micstrachan]

Sorry, and I don’t mean to sound dramatic. “Extreme emergency” is just an opinion. I don’t want to cause you unnecessary stress.

 

[micstrachan]

@azygous! Yay! Duh, I missed you on my list. Glad you are here!