🔥 40°C Heat Emergency: Immediate Action Plan
If your chicken is panting heavily, lethargic, or has collapsed in the heat — act now. Follow these four steps in order.
Critical Warning
Do not force-feed water to an unconscious bird. If the bird has collapsed and is unresponsive, cool the feet and mist the comb only. Forcing water into an unconscious chicken can cause aspiration and death.
Relocate
Move the bird to cool tiles or a dark shed.
Get the bird out of direct sun immediately. A laundry floor, garage, or deep shade under a tree all work. Avoid enclosed sheds with no airflow.
Cool Feet
Stand the bird in shallow cool (not icy) water.
Chickens regulate temperature through their feet and legs. Fill a shallow tray with cool tap water — never use ice, as the shock can cause cardiac arrest.
Hydrate
Offer DIY Electrolyte mix immediately.
Mix: 1 litre water, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp baking soda. Offer in a shallow dish — let the bird drink voluntarily. This is a short-term recovery measure, not for daily use.
Mist
Lightly spray the comb and wattles.
Use a misting bottle with cool water. The comb and wattles are where chickens release the most heat. Gentle misting helps bring core temperature down faster.
🧪 DIY Electrolyte Recipe
- •1 litre of clean, cool water
- •1 teaspoon salt
- •1 teaspoon sugar
- •1 teaspoon baking soda
⚠️ This is a short-term recovery measure only — not for daily use. Offer in a shallow dish and let the bird drink voluntarily.