A gasping hen

[Attilla]

This hen is like a pet to me. Last summer the other birds injured her and ever since then she can't walk. The last two days she hasn't eaten much. She constantly closes her eyes and opens her beak as if she's gasping. The gasping thing actually started like two months ago but she was doing it now and then, sometimes after drinking water. The poop looks normal. She started doing it way more regularly now. I can't tell whether she's experiencing problem breathing or the problem is in her throat (please check the videos). It breaks my heart seeing her like that... I can't put into words how much I'm attached to her.

 

[GoosesGeeses]

@azygous @Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive

 

[azygous]

Do you hear rattling noises when she breathes? If not, the beak action is more likely due to the stress of not feeling well. Her eyes tell me she is probably very sick.

We can't tell you what's making her sick, and a vet may not be able to either. If she's older than five or six, she may have end stage reproductive cancer. If she's very young and it's been quite hot, she may be suffering from the heat. If she has diarrhea, she could have a bacterial infection in her intestines. If that's what's happening, an antibiotic might help.

If it's spring where you are and she has diarrhea, she might have coccidiosis and you could try a coccidiostat. That would be Corid if you live in the US.

 

[Attilla]

No noises when she breathes. She's 11 months old. No diarrhea.