Urgent!!! Heatstroke!

[ChristieB]

The shade blew off my temp run today and left my hens in complete Aussie summer midday sun for I don't know how long. As soon as I saw I brought them in. 3 are ok now, still have beaks open panting but are alert have had water and walking around but my Wyandotte is out to it, she had her eyes open when I first picked her up, I dribbled some water over her beak which she drank but since then she's been unconscious. I have her inside now where it's cooler (but not in direct line of air conditioning) so I can keep an eye on her, is there anything else I can do immediately? I know with dogs you would put them under running water, can I do that with a bird? She's the eldest of all my chooks but still in her first year

 

[ChristieB]

It's been half an hour since I brought her inside, an hour since I got them out of the sun, she's still unconscious

 

[Ravynscroft]

I wish I could help!! I'm not really sure what else you can do either...
I don't think putting her in running water is a good idea though, chooks are more susceptible to shock than dogs are. Maybe put a cool, wet washcloth on the bottoms of her feet? And maybe dab around her neck/head area? I'm just guessing, I am so sorry!!!

 

[cutenmchick]

Hello...What I did for my chickens this past summer when I was in a similar situation, in addition to administering water, I used a very wet, dripping wet, wash cloth, just regular tap water, not hot or cold, just the temp it comes out of the faucet. I kept wiping the bird's feet. The fleshy part and the tops. I also wiped their heads, above the eyes and beak.

I don't know if that helped my birds as much as it helped me feel like I was doing something.

Good luck.

p.s., my birds made it OK.

I'm sorry she didn't make it. non-bird people told me once "it's just a chicken. you eat them don't you?" they just didn't understand. Aren't you glad you have support here?
...so sorry for you.

 

[ChristieB]

I think she's gone, she had 3 big tremors then she stopped and all colour has gone from her comb and wattle, heart broken
wish I'd checked them sooner I would have known they were in the sun.
One more week till quarantine is over and the newbies can join them

 

[Ravynscroft]

I think she's gone, she had 3 big tremors then she stopped and all colour has gone from her comb and wattle, heart broken
wish I'd checked them sooner I would have known they were in the sun.
One more week till quarantine is over and the newbies can join them

Oh, I am so very sorry!!!
Unfortunately, accidents do happen. Please do not blame yourself, you tried to help the best you could once you saw what happened.
Truly sorry for your loss... **hugs**