Chicken honking noise!

[Ccort]

Please help. What could be going on and what do I do? Almost three year old hen.

 

[StinkyAcres]

How long have you noticed her sounding like this? It could be something minor like she has something stuck in her nose or throat. Have you looked in her mouth to see if there is an obstruction? Any discharge from her nose or eyes?

 

[Ccort]

How long have you noticed her sounding like this? It could be something minor like she has something stuck in her nose or throat. Have you looked in her mouth to see if there is an obstruction? Any discharge from her nose or eyes?

Just noticed ithe honking today. Last night at bedtime her one nostril seemed a little runny. I don't see any obstruction and no eye discharge. Nostril doesn't look runny today.

 

[Ccort]

Vet refuses to see chickens anymore!

 

[StinkyAcres]

It's likely some food went down the wrong way. I'd keep an eye on her and make sure she's eating, drinking, and pooping normally and her crop is emptying in the morning. Then give us an update tomorrow.

 

[Ccort]

It's likely some food went down the wrong way. I'd keep an eye on her and make sure she's eating, drinking, and pooping normally and her crop is emptying in the morning. Then give us an update tomorrow.

Should I try Tylan powder?

 

[StinkyAcres]

Should I try Tylan powder?

I would not give an antibiotic so soon. Wait it out and see how she is tomorrow.

 

[Ccort]

I would not give an antibiotic so soon. Wait it out and see how she is tomorrow.

Ok. I know my flock likely does have Mycoplasma, for what it's worth. She's eating. Very concerned

 

[StinkyAcres]

Ok. I know my flock likely does have Mycoplasma, for what it's worth. She's eating. Very concerned

I see, I understand your concern. The way she opened her mouth tells me her throat is uncomfortable, but she is not gaping which is a good sign. How does her crop feel right now?

 

[TwoCrows]

There very well could be something stuck in her airways causing this honking noise. I'm not sure what you could do to dislodge it if there is something in there. You might injure her trying to remove it. I don't recommend meds for this, it will have to be coughed out or work it's way out on it's own.

I had a hen that lived to 14 years of age, at age 6 she started honking occasionally, as the years went on the honking became more common. I could only assume her airways were collapsing just from age. She honked quite a bit at the end, daily, hourly, it never caused her any breathing or health issues, I never did figure out why she honked.