What's wrong with my chicken?

gabbychickens4

In the Brooder
5 Years
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Apr 17, 2014
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Hi all. Just today, I came home to my chicken, a 41/2 year old Buff Orpington Hen, on the coop floor. She was panting w/ beak open, and she was leaned off to her right side. Her head was on the floor, and her pupils would get big, then get back to small. She was unable to lift her head, and too weak to stand. Today was very hot in San Francisco, around 85-90 degrees fahrenheit. Basically, V E R Y hot. My chickens aren't used to this type of tempeture, since it's usually around 60 degrees fahrenheit. She might have been having a heatstroke, but i suspect there is something more. After spraying / misting her with water, keeping her in the shade, putting iced water bottles beneath her, she seemed cooler and better. She cooled down and stopped panting. She seems to have trouble walking. She drinks some water but doesn't respond to the food i give to her. i had to carry her up to the roosting spot an hour ago because she just stayed at the bottom of the coop.She also just sits there, but her eyes are clear and alert. her apperence is fine though. Is it a heatstroke? or something else? PLEASE ANSWER!!! just ask if you need pics. thanks:)
 
Pictures would be great. Since she is leaning to one side, I tend to think "stroke," I would not put her on the roost if she can't get there herself. Maybe she fell off the roost to begin with. You treated her well for the heat but, her eyes are bothering me. It would be best if you posted in detail and photos if available on the "emergencies, diseases, injuries , cures thread." ASAP.
 
images


Welcome to BYC!

Heat stroke will cause leg weakness even though she has cooled down. If she were my bird, I would take her into some air conditioning for several hours to help her recover. It takes a few hours after cooling down to completely recuperate. If she is still like this 12 or 24 hours later, you will want to post this in our emergency section. Kelsie as left you with the link.

Good luck with your bird and I hope she makes a complete recovery.
hugs.gif
 

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