chicken hiccuping?

[normanack]

Problem: edited to add: the video link is here if it doesn't show up embedded. [=http-youtube-dMKQHdozAvM][/] My hen seems to be hiccuping. I don't know if it's really a hiccup or if it's a problem, but I've not seen this before.

Information:

type of bird: Easter Egger hen (we think -- from leftover mixed chick bin last spring), between 4 and 5 months old, seems normal size and weight.

Behavior: She is making a funny hiccuping sound. Video above.

Length of symptoms: started today.

Other birds with symptoms: None.

Trauma: none.

Anything new? No, same food/yard/coop/flockmates. No visitors, nor have I visited any other chickens.

Food: Purina starter and grower feeds, grass, bugs, weeds, Manna Pro (tiny amount, less than a tablespoon per day). Manna Pro started a week ago.

Poop: normal.

Treatment: none so far.

Intent: find out if she's ill or has a problem, will treat it myself.

Picture: Video attached. It's rough, sorry. But you can see and hear the behavior.

Housing/bedding: 8' x 16' coop, 8' x 12' fenced run, 30' x 50' fenced-in yard/pasture, mixed flock of 21 chickens, age within a month of each other. Free run of coop, run, and yard daytime, in closed coop nighttime. Coop bedding: chopped oak leaves on dirt floor. Run: dirt plus compost. Yard: grass and weeds.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[cerealrock78]

You have lots of nice chickens over there! I'm jealous

Its becuase its either yawning or sneezing. Chickens don't hiccup.
But mostly, its sneezing. I've seen my chickens do it.

 

[normanack]

Thanks!

She isn't sneezing/whatever today. Just running around squawking at everything, as usual. She's known as "Shirley the Whiner" after a character in the Stephanie Plum murder mystery series.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Wondering if she was ok? Mine was doing the same today!!! Thanks!!

 

[normanack]

Hi!

My hen only did that for one day. I'm guessing she had something stuck in her throat, as there was no other sign of illness and she was better the next day.

I also noticed that her voice lowered about that time, from the high peeps of a chick to the deeper tones of a hen. So maybe that was part of it, too.

I hope your hen is okay! Please do let me know.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Hi!
My hen only did that for one day. I'm guessing she had something stuck in her throat, as there was no other sign of illness and she was better the next day.
I also noticed that her voice lowered about that time, from the high peeps of a chick to the deeper tones of a hen. So maybe that was part of it, too.
I hope your hen is okay! Please do let me know.

I will she seemed fine just hiccupping like we would!! weird!!! Thank you!!!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

I will she seemed fine just hiccupping like we would!! weird!!! Thank you!!!

My chicken has been fine since!! From what I read they can get a pc of dirt or something stuck and thats how they get it out! But if there is any unhealthy signs it could be sour crop or gape worms in the throat....


Gape Worm or Syngamus Trachea IMPORTANT INFO to keep on hand! Gapeworms live in the trachea (windpipe) but are also found in the bronchi and lungs..Gasping for breath or 'gaping' as it is known is the biggest sign of gapeworm. Shaking of the head and neck stretching are common. When birds are held, gurgling or a 'tracheal rattle' can often be heard. This can often be confused http://poultrykeeper.com/digestive-system-problems/gape-worm-or-syngamus-trachea

 

[normanack]

Oh, I just figured out you're the person with the Silkie eggs and the Springer Spaniel puppies! Much love to all your critters and critters-to-be!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Oh, I just figured out you're the person with the Silkie eggs and the Springer Spaniel puppies! Much love to all your critters and critters-to-be!

lol thanks I need it!

 

[rockstar]

This happened to one of my Brown Leghorns yesterday. This went on all day long. Today she is fine with no hiccuping. We had just gotten our first white egg the day before. I wondered if the hiccuping sound was because of stress. It was a very large almost extra large egg. I also had fed the chickens bread the day before. Never had a problem with bread before but wondered if that could have caused the hiccups.