8.5 month old hen sneezing (I think) and sometimes quietly moaning

[EmmaDonovan]

Started this morning, she makes a sound like a really loud sneeze, it sounds like the word "babble:" "BA-bul" (would be funny if I weren't concerned). She also makes a very quiet intermittent moan or growl sound. I haven't seen her eat or drink anything (she may have when I wasn't watching) and she hasn't laid an egg.

Her eyes are bright and clear, nostrils are clear. She's not making any raspy breathing sounds or gulping air. She's moving around normally.

She lay down and closed her eyes a few times but it's only 7:30 A.M. and it's typical for the hens to doze on and off at this hour. When I went out to the coop to check on her she came charging up for treats with everyone else.

I'm by myself at the moment so there's no one to hold her so I can look in her mouth and throat. Is there anything else I should do?

 

[EmmaDonovan]

Went out to the coop again. I don't think she's sneezing any more but she's still making the quiet moan or wheeze. She came up to say hi. She isn't straining to breathe or anything. She doesn't seem to be in distress other than the odd moan.

 

[Eggcessive]

Look at her eyes for bubbles or foam in either one. Look for head shaking or mucus being swallowed from sinus drainage. Sneezing occasionally due to dust or during feeding can be normal, but sneezing every few minutes is not.

 

[EmmaDonovan]

Eyes are clear. No head shaking. She isn't sneezing as often now but the moaning sound she's making almost sounds like a duck or goose honking now.

 

[Ducklad]

that sounds like respiratory issues..

 

[EmmaDonovan]

How do I determine what to treat her for? I can run out and get something from a feed store if I know what to buy.

 

[EmmaDonovan]

We brought her inside for a while last night so she could rest in cool and quiet (we're in the desert and it's still summer and very hot here). She wasn't happy about it but she settled down and dozed after a little while. I listened to her breathing while she slept and it was completely quiet. When she's awake there's still a honking sound when she exhales.

She seems the same today. Eating and drinking, moves normally, comes running up for treats, steals treats away from other hens. Eyes are clear. I don't know if that's some discharge in her right nostril (first photo below) or just a wee bit of schmutz. The second photo is her left side for comparison.

 

[EmmaDonovan]

For what it's worth her breathing is back to normal. I've heard one or two of her sneeze-barks but that's it. Either it was something mild that resolved on its own or it wasn't a respiratory issue and those were angry noises because she was ticked off about something. That's rather out of character for our docile, friendly Bielefelders. They're all lovely and good-natured and enjoy being petted but anyone can have a bad day, I suppose.

 

[Eggcessive]

I had a rooster once who crowed and made a funny sound at the end of his crow. It’s good that she doesn’t seem to be sick.