I noticed a bit over a week ago that my almost 7 year old Sussex hen (she will be 7 on 3/14) is breathing fast when she sleeps. I've been trying to diagnose the problem and provide treatment but I've had no avail. Read carefully as this isn't the normal "hen has labored breathing" case.
Her Symptoms
A few other things I'd point out about this hen.
For treatment, since I thought this was respiratory at first, I had her breathe in peppermint oil and VetRX, and these haven't relieved her of any symptoms. I can try other respiratory aids, but I'm skeptical if those will work either. She eats layer pellets, the grass (which is just getting new growth now), and the treats given every 2-3 days. These treats mostly consist of leafy greens. Sometimes I've given corn cobs and clover I grew inside also.
Another one of my Sussex hens, who will be 5 in May, also breathes heavy and sometimes fast, but that may just be part of her. Sometimes chickens bob up and down in their sleep and are totally fine. No crackles and she is totally fine otherwise. No weird things either with her.
Anyone have input here?
Thanks
Her Symptoms
- She breathes fast and heavy when she sleeps, as if she had just ran around a bunch.
- She sometimes sneezes a little bit. No mucus comes out. It sounds like something is deep in her and she can't get it out.
- Sometimes I hear low pitched crackle when she breathes. It sounds a bit like when their beaks hit their feathers, but I don't think it's that.
A few other things I'd point out about this hen.
- Sometimes when I hold her, she starts breathing heavily and her comb, wattles, the whole face turns more blue. This has happened on and off for around two years, maybe longer. She isn't scared of me, she shows no other signs of anxiety. But she usually doesn't want to be picked up the times this happens. She sometimes will let out a surprised/frustrated sound. I don't think I hold her in her favorite position (under my shoulder with both hands supporting her) either when this happens. If I put her down, her face returns to normal within a few seconds. I have no idea what causes this or why.
- For some reason, she does not know how to consistently drink water without getting a bit in her nose. It's not every time she drinks, but it happens fairly often. She shakes the water out of her nose. I don't know how long this has been going on, but I noticed this around six months ago. Maybe she was always like this and I just didn't realize?
For treatment, since I thought this was respiratory at first, I had her breathe in peppermint oil and VetRX, and these haven't relieved her of any symptoms. I can try other respiratory aids, but I'm skeptical if those will work either. She eats layer pellets, the grass (which is just getting new growth now), and the treats given every 2-3 days. These treats mostly consist of leafy greens. Sometimes I've given corn cobs and clover I grew inside also.
Another one of my Sussex hens, who will be 5 in May, also breathes heavy and sometimes fast, but that may just be part of her. Sometimes chickens bob up and down in their sleep and are totally fine. No crackles and she is totally fine otherwise. No weird things either with her.
Anyone have input here?
Thanks