Chicken gasping for air

[talkinboutchickens]

Hello, I'm posting this thread because I work on a petting farm, and while I was at work yesterday, I saw a barred rock hen gasping for air. She just stands there and reaches out her neck and opens her beak super wide to get air. I don't think she was choking, because she was eating fine yesterday. When she tries to vocalize, her voice is very hoarse and soft. Do you think this is a respiratory infection of some sort? If so, what should I do to help her? She doesn't have any other symptoms, and no other chicken is acting like this. We gave her some Nutridrench which was all we had. I doubt that will do anything, but at least it's something I guess.
Thanks!

 

[coach723]

Is she still doing it today? Sometimes they can get something stuck in the airway which can cause the gasping and hoarseness, it's called stridor, a partial airway obstruction. If it's a bit of feed or debris it will often resolve on it's own.
If it does not resolve then a couple of other possibilities are gapeworm or a respiratory infection. Gapeworm can be treated with Safeguard liquid goat wormer or Valbazen (labeled for cattle), if it's respiratory then it would depend on what it is. Tylan or Tylosin are most often used in that case. Hope it's not respiratory, as that would likely spread to the rest of the flock. If vet care is an option they can test for gapeworm and for respiratory disease (often just a swab) if it persists.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

Is she still doing it today? Sometimes they can get something stuck in the airway which can cause the gasping and hoarseness, it's called stridor, a partial airway obstruction. If it's a bit of feed or debris it will often resolve on it's own.
If it does not resolve then a couple of other possibilities are gapeworm or a respiratory infection. Gapeworm can be treated with Safeguard liquid goat wormer or Valbazen (labeled for cattle), if it's respiratory then it would depend on what it is. Tylan or Tylosin are most often used in that case. Hope it's not respiratory, as that would likely spread to the rest of the flock. If vet care is an option they can test for gapeworm and for respiratory disease (often just a swab) if it persists.

Thank you very much! This info is super helpful. I'll pass on the info to my co-workers! We are currently keeping her separated from the flock. I don't know how she is today, but I will ask.