the bradley bunch Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 Hi, I am a first time chicken keeper and have 3 newly rescued ex-battery hens. Since the rescue 2 days ago one of the girls feels very hot (I noticed this first when moving her from the carrier box to the hen house, and again yesterday when I had to pick her up to move her into the run). The Hen's name is Boo. She is quite small, and very feather bare on her legs and body. One of the other girls is also feather bare, and she does not feel hot like Boo does. She is eating and drinking well, and seems alert and mobile and is showing no signs of distress or ill health. She has a 'hunched' back and bent toes (suggesting that she has been the hen crushed underneath the others during her life as a caged battery hen) - although this does not effect her ability to walk or to move her head/neck. It's not hot weather at the moment, in fact it was quite windy yesterday and is rainy today (I have sheltered their run from the wind/rain so that they don't get cold/wet). Please let me know if I should be concerned by how hot she is, and if I should seek further help, or if this is normal/expected. Thank you in advance to all those who can offer advice/peace of mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 Hens do have a naturally high body temperature. As she seems otherwise OK , I wouldn't worry. It will take her a while to fine tune her thermostat now that she is out of the battery cage. I assume she has no snotty nose or wheezy/rattly chest and no poo issues? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the bradley bunch Posted June 1, 2010 Author Share Posted June 1, 2010 Hens do have a naturally high body temperature. As she seems otherwise OK , I wouldn't worry. It will take her a while to fine tune her thermostat now that she is out of the battery cage. I assume she has no snotty nose or wheezy/rattly chest and no poo issues? most of the poo in there has been runny, but i assumed that was just the norm for ex-batts (until their new nutritious Allan & Page ex-bats crumb starts to kick in and build them up!) there is one thing that i have noticed - her vent (i think it's her vent anyway - bulge just below tail) sort of pulsates. i think they all do it, but because she's got no feathers hers is exposed. please let me know if this is not the case and it's not normal. other than that i hope it's just like you say and she just needs time to fine tune her thermostat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewitall Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 The vents on my chickens pulsate too. Ready for action all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staceychristie Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 We soak our bushes where the girls hide, as this keeps them cool, not too fond of the water cannon treatment though, so they run when they see me with the hose. They do like to run through the lawn mist sprayer though - just like kids! Stacey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gongladosh Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 The vents on my chickens pulsate too. Ready for action all the time. Mine do that too - they look like they're chewing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
