Breathing obstruction?

[JHH3]

I have a hen that was fine this morning but is now wheezing and sneezing. I'm assuming she's tried to eat something that got stuck. She is still able to eat and breath, so in no immediate danger but I'd like to help her clear whatever it is out.

 

[Eggcessive]

It does sound like stridor which is when there is something present in the airway such as a piece of feed, mucus from a respiratory infection, or swelling in the airway. The sneezing is probably more related to a respiratory infection. I would watch her, and make sure that she is drinking fluids. Sometimes stridor goes away in a few hours or overnight if it is just a piece of feed. Look for any nasal drainage or bubbles in an eye, which are more signs of an infection such as mycoplasma. It looks like she is molting, and that is a common time for something like this to happen.

 

[JHH3]

She doesn't appear to have anything coming out of her nose or eyes, I'll keep an eye on her for sure. She sounded a little better this evening, not quite as wheezy, we'll see how she is in the morning.

 

[Eggcessive]

I had a hen who used to eat and inhale her feed. She would get stridor and it would last until she coughed up the feed particle. Many times this goes away, but if it lasts more than one day, or if you see head shaking or other respiratory symptoms, I would suspect a respiratory disease.

 

[JHH3]

She doesn't appear to be wheezing today, so I'm assuming she'll be good. I'll keep an eye on her for a few days though.