Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: nonhankins on July 18, 2006, 20:28

Title: Can chickens get heat exhaustion
Post by: nonhankins on July 18, 2006, 20:28
I need help!!

I have two blue cochin hens. Up until about 5 days ago, when the heat notched up a few more degrees I had two happy hens laying fairly regularly.

Since that, neither have laid an egg in 5 days and one has taken to her coop and refusing to come out for love nor money (well sweetcorn anyway).

Is this common in the heat? Or is one broody? I don't know anymore.

My hen that's taken to her coop, looks very sad - how can I make her smile?
Title: Can chickens get heat exhaustion
Post by: GrannieAnnie on July 19, 2006, 07:29
Definitely!  If you PM me your address (don't worry, I'm quite safe), I've got a booklet from MAFF (DEFRA now) about heat stress in Poultry if you'd like it
Title: Can chickens get heat exhaustion
Post by: Tensing on July 19, 2006, 07:59
I was out there yesterday with a plant mister spray cooling them down, luckily the coop is always in shade so doesn't heat up too much.
Title: Can chickens get heat exhaustion
Post by: james419 on July 20, 2006, 08:47
We live in France and on Tuesday it got up to 50c - I decided that as the ducks like a good hosing down - tried it with the chooks - most enjoyed it but the cock took it as an insult and below his dignaty - pompous chap that he is.
However they really enjoyed the small pools of water afterwards for scratching about in - they also enjoy a good dust bath
James
Title: Can chickens get heat exhaustion
Post by: Tensing on July 20, 2006, 11:29
My very young Cock jumped in the duck pond the other day, I swear the ducks were laughing at him.
Title: Can chickens get heat exhaustion
Post by: nonhankins on July 25, 2006, 18:30
I  have taken to sprayin them - one is not sure - but the other comes running to the spray gun now like it's  a tin of sweetcorn - they also seem to like eating crushed ice cubes - don't ask!
Title: Can chickens get heat exhaustion
Post by: hermon on July 26, 2006, 11:32
does this make their tail and wings droop?
Title: Can chickens get heat exhaustion
Post by: Tensing on July 26, 2006, 13:22
No doesn't seem too, I don't soak them, just give them a cooling spray