Chicken Is Breathing Heavy

[musicalchicken]

I have a 4 year old hen who seems to have breathing problems. She breathes very heavy when I hold her or when she is sitting down. Other than that she seems fine. She walks around and eats. I'm not sure what to do for her or what could be wrong with her. Please help! Thanks in advanced!

 

[Eggcessive]

Is she overweight when you feel of her breastbone? Does her lower abdomen seem squishy or fluid-filled? Ascites or fluid in the belly, or an overweight chicken or one with fatty liver disease may breathe heavily. Other problems that cause breathing difficulty are aspergillosis, a respiratory disease caused from wet and moldy condtions. A hearth problem could also cause this. Some hens will normally pant if they are hot.

 

[musicalchicken]

She isn't over weight at all. I checked her abdomen and it doesn't feel like there is any fluid in it. I did notice she had a lot of poop around her vent. Her crop feels squishy. It isn't hot outside so I don't think she could be hot. She seems lethargic. Is there something I could do for her?

 

[Eggcessive]

I would start her on some Probios Powder in her water or give her a small amount of buttermilk daily. Does she have a sour odor from her crop that you can smell around her face? Is it still like that in the early morning when the crop should be empty? If so, she could have sour crop, if it is squishy and balloon-like. That can be due to a fungal or bacterial infection resulting from an impacted crop or from food or grass, decaying in her crop. I haven't treated it before, but here is some info to read:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/impacted-slow-and-sour-crops-prevention-and-treatments
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/04/answers-from-chicken-vet-on-impacted.html
http://www.tillysnest.com/2012/01/crop-issues.html