5+ year old hen w/chest callous, swollen chest, labored breathing

[hollyinpa]

Gladys, the last of our original trio of barred rock hens, has been increasingly lethargic over the past week or so. She is eating and drinking fine. We have seeing her "resting" more during the day by sitting down in the yard.

When I returned from a 5-day trip to GA, my partner mentioned that Gladys had a weird bump on her breast bone area and her chest area is swollen. When I went to the coop tonight...she didn't attempt to move away from me. In fact, she let me pick her up and hold her. I noticed a callous-type circle on her breast area and her chest seemed swollen. She's had labored breathing for a while, but it didn't seem to slow her down.

Today was different. The callous-spot didn't feel hot to the touch and she didn't seen to be in visible pain.

Any thoughts on how to proceed? I can take get to the vet this weekend.

 

[Imp]

If you can take her to a vet, that is the best option, but it is only Monday. Sooner is better.

Imp- Good Luck

 

[BrattishTaz]

Are you sure you are not seeing her crop?

 

[Imp]

Quote:
Good point. Is the weird bump on the right side, between the chest and neck?

Imp

 

[hollyinpa]

I am pretty sure it is not her crop, but will take a closer look.

Went out there this morning and she is resting in the hay in the coop.

She got up and drank water when I put fresh water out and managed to find a worm to eat when I moved some dirt around. She doesn't seem to be in any visible pain other than she just seems tired. I noticed that her breathing doesn't seem to be as labored this AM. I am wondering if it worsens during the day as she fatigues.

She's one of a trio of hens (one of which died of a heart arythmia (sp?)) and the vet told me that the other two hens may show other heart and respiratory issues as they age. I think that trio of hens that we got as pullets wasn't vaccinated when we got them.

If she's not any better, I'll plan to take her to the vet this weekend...As long as she's eating/drinking and not displaying any visible pain, I will wait until the weekend.

Oh - as for the breast bone callous, it's about the size of a nickel and relatively flat (not protruding). The line along her breast bone from head to tail has little to know feathers. There are no other signs of outward infection or parasites that I can see.

Thanks for the advice, guys.

 

[DTRM30]

Ringworm ? (which isn't really a worm but a fungal infection - that can cause feather loss)
There is an avian form of it .... that isn't contagious to people.

Favus

Extracted From:

A Pocket Guide to
Poultry Health
and
Disease

By Paul McMullin

2004
Click Here to
Order Your Copy
Introduction
A fungal infection, Trichophyton gallinae, of chickens and turkeys. It is very rare in commercial poultry production.

Signs

White, powdery spots and wrinkled crusts and scab on comb and wattles.
Feather loss.
'Honeycomb' skin.
Thick crusty skin.
Loss of condition.

 

[hollyinpa]

Update:

Gladys is eating/drinking fine and is by no means a "wilting flower" when it comes to her size. She continues to prefer resting in the hay in the run v. cruising the backyard with the others. She stood up and came over to eat some bird seed treats I gave them. She keeps her tail tucked down instead of holding her tail feathers upward. I wonder if she is doing that to balance as she seems quite wobbly when she walks around. She manages to get off the roast in the AM and find her way down the ramp from the hen house to the run each morning. Not sure what else to do except keep an eye on her.

Thanks to those of you who've posted info here. I appreciate it.