Broody chicken deep breathing with her mouth open, neck extended, pale comb/waddle, eyes squinting

[PandemicChicken]

Hello! I'm distressed and seeking advice because my only hen (sole survivor of animal attack) seems unwell: her comb/waddle has turned pale pink and drooped, which is a drastic difference from how it stood tall and red 2 months ago (picture comparison). She's been opening her mouth more frequently, taking deep breathes in. There are times where she's breathing so hard that I can hear the air passing through her airways. https://drive.google.com/file/d/18wFT_bKHvakDu6rusBvjU6F_qT0yCLLy/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/16PTKBh_8FM7IuyxCrVTDHOGQYL1yV863/view?usp=sharing

Her neck also extends out, where I can see her panting/gulping and huffing/puffing for air. I started noticing it yesterday, but she seems to be doing it more frequently in the dark/when she thinks I'm not looking. Before, she would infrequently let out a "big yawn" with her mouth wide open but now she's frequently panting and open-mouth breathing every 15 minutes. She's also squinting one eye more, like she's tired but tries to stay alert. Could she have gapeworm or a respiratory infection? There is no hissing (symptom of gapeworm), more like panting. Her poop seems more watery than usual but consistent brown color. How should I treat it and help her breath better?

Earlier this week, I first noticed she was losing a lot of feathers so she may be going through a soft molt. Is it common to molt in the spring time? She is also itching/scratching herself a lot with dry skin flakes flying off, so I dusted her with permethrin, despite not finding any moving lice or mites. She got norther fowl mites last November so I'm extra cautious and worried since she's a small bantam, and with white feathers it's hard to see lice. Could blood loss from potential parasites cause her pale comb, or would it be a combination of issues? I plan to do 2 other treatments in 1-week intervals to kill the eggs that I might not see.

For context: she hasn't been foraging or eaten any bugs in the last 2 weeks: I've been keeping her inside for the time being because there are actually 2 avian flu cases in my county (both less than 40 miles away). In the winter, I would let her out 2-3x for 15min each daily so she can poop and walk around outside supervised. Last week, I also changed food to a different brand with mixed grains, but she isn't eating as much (and doesn't like select seeds), as the previous food brand. So I'm not sure if she has a loss of appetite because she's feels unwell, or if she doesn't like the new feed. Is it worth taking her to a vet? I'm extremely worried, especially with more wild birds migrating here, breathing issues, and drastic comb change. What can I do to help her?

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

How long has she been living alone? And what are her normal living quarters like? I assume she's not living in this box all the time but it sounds like she's basically indoors except for the little supervised field trips outside?

 

[PandemicChicken]

How long has she been living alone? And what are her normal living quarters like? I assume she's not living in this box all the time but it sounds like she's basically indoors except for the little supervised field trips outside?

Her flock mates died in early September! She spent 2 months outside with supervision but she laid eggs inside the house and slept in the garage. When winter hit & it got too cold, she started living inside as a house pet: sunbathing and laying eggs, but then she got broody recently and kept wanting to sit on her eggs. So she's essentially inside - I'm freaking out about what to do taking her outside because of the avian flu and increase in wild birds with spring

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

That makes sense but I just wonder if she is depressed. Chickens are flock animals so she might be getting sick just from not living a natural chicken life. I will tag some people who know more than me @azygous @Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive

 

[Myrshine]

I know she’s not an outdoor bird, but I can leave you to some suggestions of what it may be, that is causing your hen to breath like this. Usually respiratory infections cause trouble or having a hard time breathing, but there can be other causes, especially if she’s not sneezing, coughing or has bubbly or watery eyes.

Mites or lice infestation

Intestinal worms or parasites (Coccidiosis)

Egg bound

Obesity / over-weight

Aspergillosis infection

Sour or an impaction of the crop

Heart issues (congestive heart failure or disease)

Does she currently lay? If so, when did she last lay an egg? Is she showing any other symptoms besides breathing heavily?

 

[PandemicChicken]

That makes sense but I just wonder if she is depressed. Chickens are flock animals so she might be getting sick just from not living a natural chicken life. I will tag some people who know more than me @azygous @Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive

Thank you! I will also add that she seemed very sad/traumatized after the animal attack and after living inside (in the warmth) did she start laying eggs and regained color in her comb/waddle. I had planned to revoke her to an animal sanctuary with chickens after winter ended so she'd be less stressed with a new environment and adapting (I'm in New England). But it since she's unwell now, I don't want to stress her out even more by giving her away & changing her entire world suddenly. She's never done that open-mouth breathing before and I really want her to live a long, happy life

 

[azygous]

Check her crop. Some of her symptoms could be from a crop issue.

 

[PandemicChicken]

I know she’s not an outdoor bird, but I can leave you to some suggestions of what it may be, that is causing your hen to breath like this. Usually respiratory infections cause trouble or having a hard time breathing, but there can be other causes, especially if she’s not sneezing, coughing or has bubbly or watery eyes.

Mites or lice infestation

Intestinal worms or parasites (Coccidiosis)

Egg bound

Obesity / over-weight

Aspergillosis infection

Sour or an impaction of the crop

Heart issues (congestive heart failure or disease)

Does she currently lay? If so, when did she last lay an egg? Is she showing any other symptoms besides breathing heavily?

She doesn't lay anymore but she still has broody tendencies. I think her last egg was mid-February? No, other symptoms other than her poop being more watery and she seemed to groom herself more which caused more feather loss. I saw no moving mites/lice, but noticed small pin feathers growing

 

[Myrshine]

She may be molting, which could be why she’s losing her feathers. Pin feathers mean that new ones are coming back in

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Hmmm. A lot of what you describe to me is simply the effects of brooding hormones. As the hormones shift, their comb becomes pale and shrunken. Broody hens often have a soft molt, especially at the end of the brood.

Also, brooding hens don't WANT company. They want to sit on the nest and will fluff and growl at anyone that comes close....so with the broodiness, I don't leap to depression.

Her behavior to me suggests she is too hot. You have her sitting inside brooding in a box. She is probably getting too warm. She is keeping those eggs at a constant 101 to 103 degrees F. Chickens will open up their wings, stretch their necks, and pant when they are too hot.

She may be much happier in a cooler location.

Check her crop and throat for any blockages, but my guess is she is brooding and getting too hot.

My thoughts.
LofMc