[Em121]

Hello. Two of my chickens have appeared disorientated and a bit drunk recently. They are both Cotswolds and about three years old. One seemed a bit odd for three or four days - wouldn't come out of the coop and then I watched her breathing very heavily. Her neck would noticeably expand and contract as she breathed. She died the same day and now a second Cotswold is showing the same disorientated symptoms.

Is it the heat? They have lots of fresh water - I've been keeping a very close eye on the water. They can dust bathe freely. And I've been topping them up with cider vinegar as normal.

Help?

[doganjo]

It might be this - http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/health-and-common-diseases/coccidiosis/index.aspx

[landroverroy]

Coccidiosis tends to be a disease of younger birds as they build up a resistance to it as they get older. Also it is more prevalent on wet ground, hence the high incidence of chicks dying if the bedding gets wet, For that reason also it is highly unlikely for adult birds to develop it when the weather has been so dry for so long. Finally - it is a disease which damages he gut, not the windpipe or lungs, so I would not suspect cocci in this instance.   

[Em121]

Thank you - I did look up Coccidiosis and chickens in hot weather. As it seemed to be slow, in relative terms, to affect the second bird I'm leaning towards the heat? Apparently chickens do noticeably pant and display signs of being a bit dizzy.

The advice seems to be to put ice in their water and offer up things like cold watermelon to make sure they are properly hydrated so I'll give that a go. I wondered if anyone else was having the same issues? If they are, it strengthens my thought it might be the weather rather than an infection of some sort.

[vegpatch]

It sounds like they might have a respiratory infection or perhaps even something like gapeworm - It might be worth ruling these out before assuming it's a heat problem.  Our birds seem to cope fine with the heat, as long as they have access to some shade - even our chicks who are zipping around as usual.

[Eve]

Best to separate the second ill bird and keep her cool, e.g. a crate on cool kitchen floor tiles. It may stop her spreading something but you can keep her cool a d check her food & water intake and her pooh more easily that way too.


In this weather they can breathe heavily[size=78%] and fast and with their beak open, like a dog that’s panting, and also stand with their wings held off their bodies. I move them into our cool north facing kitchen when that happens [/size]


[/size][size=78%]Your birds have all the water they need, but you didn’t mention how much shade they have? Were the ill ones eating and drinking ok? What do you mean by appearing drunk - pecking aim off or wobbly walk? [/size]
[/size]

[Em121]

Your birds have all the water they need, but you didn’t mention how much shade they have? Were the ill ones eating and drinking OK? What do you mean by appearing drunk - pecking aim off or wobbly walk?

Thanks for the reply. The second chicken has died - I did bring her into the house but she only lasted a day longer. They have lots of access to shade - under the chicken house and the whole chicken run is under a huge willow tree and they can free range all across the meadow. I thought it strange it was only two of our Cotswolds. No they didn't seem to be eating but they were drinking water. I kept moving them to the water trough.