14 month old Buff Orpington puffy, running nose?, not moving......

[jimmyinmilwaukieoregon]

Hello all,

Unfortunately, this is my first post, and it's not a happy one... This concerns my 14 month old Buff. I have 6 hens, all have been a flock for over 14 months. Up to this point, I have had no issues, except a pasty butt which was easily cured by trimming the feathers.

Tonight I went to put them to bed, only to find "Buffy" not moving, laying on the ground. She's friendly, so I figured she fell asleep... but when I picked her up and put her in the coop, she didn't move from the floor. I took her into my shop for closer inspection... She is "puffed" up, looks larger than normal, mucus from her beak and sloooow to move. In fact after picking her up to look at her, she didn't move much. I would sit her down on the table and she slowly lowered herself down. There are no marks on her as in the diseases listed on the forum. The run on the coop is secure, no other hens are sickly.... Could this just be a "chicken cold" that will pass? Should I give it a couple of days to pass? I'll keep her separated until (if) she gets better...

Any and all help appreciated!!
Thank you! Jimmy

 

[LynneP]

I've very glad you segregated her. Keep her apart from the others in a warm, draft-free spot. Will she drink?
If so, at the very least get some multivitamins in her. (baby vitamins without iron or poultry vitamins, in water). Can be offered by dropper.
You need to examine every part of this bird for trauma or parasites to rule them out.
If nothing comes to light, I'd get her droppings, if she is making any, to a vet for a cocci float- inexpensive and the vet may find something else.
What is the general appearance of any droppings?

Did these birds have medicated feed in the beginning? Are they in a run or free-ranging?
Cocci is often a problem this time of year as the ground is not drying out well.
You're suggesting respiratory, I have no experience with it, sorry.
But there are so many thing it could be, more information, please...how is she?

 

[jimmyinmilwaukieoregon]

Just checked on her... Seems she is alert but still not moving much. The droppings are normal and I have found no injuries ... but she does "wheese" when she takes a breath. Sounds similar to when my daughter had the croup. That cleared up overnight with fresh air.

The hens are in an enclosed run that measures 8'x10'... for 6 hens. I go inside everyday and turn the soil so they are not walking on their droppings . Yes, this time of year it's very wet in the NorthWest... It's been raining for 2 weeks now... But by turning the soil and adding straw a few times a week, I manage to keep the mud to a minimum. Plus, they have free access to their coop all day to keep out of the rain. I had thought that the bedding material may be a cause...

I use ABM, it's a wood pellet that is used for horses, pigs... livestock mainly but it's great for chickens. It's compress wood sawdust that is also used for "pellet" stoves. It is very absorbent, soaking up the water and liquid from the chickens. It's a natural product that is biodegradable... I put 4, 40 lbs bags on the floor of the coop. I pick up the dropping about once a week. When the pellets start to completely break down, in about 6 weeks, I change the whole coop out, cleaning in the process. Then I put the used pellets into the compost pile...it's hot compost and takes a few weeks to cool off..... Right now, it's that time, as the pellets have turned to dust...

I wonder if she has a cold or if this dust from the pellets have disturbed her lungs?

 

[LynneP]

With all the rain you have had, I'm wondering if it's mold and/or ammonia.

With large livestock some moisture underfoot is healthy for hooves but in the case of chickens, the drier the better.

When I had a horse who was allergic to bedding the vet had me change him to peat moss.
But I'm wondering if switching your hens to wood shavings would do the trick.
You see, since she improved with the change, it seems like an irritant, and mold spores can kill chickens and it's bad for us, too. Cover your mouth and nose when you do that clean-out just in case...

Do you use a stall product like Stable Boy or Stall Dri? Makes a huge difference with moisture and odor.

 

[jimmyinmilwaukieoregon]

I cleaned the coop out a bit ago... washed the walls and floor as well. I used the same bedding material as before. I don't think the problem would be from dampness in the coop, it's dry in there. Although I mentioned the dust may have been an issue, it hasn't been a problem in the past...

I have tried wood shavings in the past... For just one day. It was a HUGE mess. When the chickens jump from the roost or simply run in and out of the coop, the savings/chips were everywhere. In the water, creating a paste within an hour. It also made them very nervous, making the flock a nervous wreck. I changed it out to the same old ABM....

Maybe the mold is the issue, although there is no obvious signs in the run. After reading other posts on this site, someone with a sick hens also mentioned giving them vitamins, which I have. Crushed one and put it in her water. She's been resting in a cardboard nest box all this morning, staying dry and warm...

Well see what time brings I guess!

 

[jimmyinmilwaukieoregon]

Looking for some help here......

Today she's wheesing badly, opening her mouth to breath, and sneezing. The local vet doesn't treat chickens.... I have given her vitamins and keep her by herself, in a warm dry area. ANY HELP IS APRECIATED!!

 

[Sillystunt]

If the mucus smells bad it is corzya. Spell check that. If not she might have a respitory infection. You need to get tylan. The one u put in water. Asap! She sounds like she needs antibiotics.