VERY Loud Breathing

Attila the Hen

Crowing
11 Years
Nov 6, 2010
839
262
267
Blue Ridge GA
It seems like out of the blue one of my hens was making a lot of noise is a rhythmic manner. It was hard to tell if it was loud breathing or a vocalization. Four hours later it seems to be related to breathing.
My research here suggests impacted crop-- but in fact her crop was pretty empty and she has eaten heartily. Another possibility is gape worm--its well below freezing with snow. Also,she is not exhibiting the usual behaviors.
So, I conclude it is respiratory and have brought her inside. Partly because if she is really sick she doesn't need to use her strength keeping warm and second in case she is contagious. I am giving her an antibiotic in her water although I really don't want to do that. Less seems to be more with chickens sometimes.
Any opinions or input welcomed.
thank you
 
Check inside her throat for a foreign object or large piece of food. She may be having stridor which is the sound made when there is something partially blocking the airway. I have seen this in one of my hens, and in some others here on BYC. Stridor is a high pitched noise, sometimes even from mucus,and can disappear within hours if the hen coughs and clears the airway. If it doesn't go away, and there is no foreign object, then you are probably helping with the antibiotic. Note if there are any other signs, such as sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, or swelling around eyes.
 
I really appreciate your input. I will check in the morning. She already thinks the house is the torture chamber because of bad case of bumble foot.
I'll post the results.
thanks again
 
Update: The hen was perfectly fine by morning and I didn't have to do anything. Even the water with the antibiotic was tipped over so she didn't get that. Someone with an identical situation pm'd me and said it happened to them and their hen fully recovered. they also said other chickens exhibited the same behavior.
Chickens can be strange.
 
Good to know. I also had a hen with stridor recently, and it went away in a couple of hours, probably due to a large piece of food getting stuck.
 

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