Chicken is Wheezing, and I need advice

[aknewlin]

I need advice on what else I can do, or what else I should be looking for or what I should be doing. I'm adding as much detail as possible to get the best advice from you more experienced than me.

I've only had chickens for a year, so I am still green at this.

I have a one year old Easter Egger who started wheezing yesterday afternoon. We had gone out for five hours, and when we returned we heard her sneeze a couple of times and heard her wheezing. Every breath was making a heeeee-haaaawww sound.

We put her in a dog kennel inside, and gave her Vet Rx orally, dropped some in her nostrils, and rubbed in on her head. Doing this greatly improved her symptoms. I do understand that this is like a Vick's salve, and helps with symptoms but won't cure her. She occasionally still gives a little wheeze, but being calm and quiet inside (air conditioned), along with the Vet Rx, has really helped her symptoms. I also put Sav-a-chick and probiotics in her water.

There is no discharge coming out of her eyes, she hasn't sneezed since we first got home yesterday, there is no discharge from her nose, her poop is normal, her color is very good, she is grooming herself well, and she has a good attitude. There is no puffing up or hunching. She is eating and drinking well. She looks and acts normal except for the wheezing (which is much improved). She was wormed with Wazine in March, and two weeks later with Safeguard. They are free range.

I will take all advice, but my unanswered questions are:

1. I know you aren't psychic, but any ideas on what it is so I can treat this effectively? It's been rainy and damp here for three days, but that's not unusual here in Indiana. I suspect it to be fungus, a respiratory infection, or allergies. I'm hoping it's not one of several other diseases that also cause wheezing. The other 12 chickens are showing no symptoms.

2. I have some human Doxycyline 100 mg capsules, which I understand is good for respiratory problems in chickens. I've read other posts about Doxycycline, but I can't seem to find how much to give her and how often. Several posts alluded to giving it to chickens but I would like to know how much, how often, and for how many days. Or is this a really bad idea?

3. Should I be looking for something else?

Thanks for any help and input!!!

-Amanda

 

[Angiebubs]

I have used Tylan500 water soluble for respiratory issues-worth googling and reading about. Good luck!

 

[aknewlin]

Thanks for the reply.

We are now 24 hours into this particular incident, and she is continuing to improve with just Vet Rx, so I didn't want to give her antibiotics just yet. The will be used if she gets worse. Praying that she continues to see improvement!

She is a funny little thing. This morning she went on a water strike and refused to drink even plain water while she was in the dog kennel. After watching her not drink for about three hours, I let her outside for a bit, and she drank and drank, and then drank some more. She had fresh water and and clean chicken watering dish, but she wouldn't touch it inside the kennel. Whatever it takes, I guess. Stubborn chicken.

 

[ChickenLover200]

I have a silkie hen with the same problem I also used vet rx it's reassuring now that I see you're chicken is getting better using that!

 

[aknewlin]

It's hard trying to figure out what to do with chickens. I'm really, really hoping that it's just environmental and not something bad.

There are so many things that have similar symptoms, it's near impossible for me to figure it out.

 

[Angiebubs]

aknewlin: I hear you! Its soo frustrating when we care about them so much and are willing to do whatever to help them but cant figure out what exactly is wrong! I had an issue where I somehow brought in Cocci-a really strong strain and lost a couple of adult birds to it. Had some wheezing which I guess can happen as a secondary issue when their immune system gets worn down. It feels like its been nothing but a vicious cycle that I am hoping I now have taken care of!

 

[aknewlin]

So far, so good. Our Easter Egger named Haruha didn't show any more symptoms after early yesterday morning and none so far today. She sounds clear and looks great.

I don't know what it was, but it sure scared the bajeebers out of me. I wish all cases were this simple.

 

[Angiebubs]

Yeah!!!

 

[motorboat]

It's hard trying to figure out what to do with chickens. I'm really, really hoping that it's just environmental and not something bad.

There are so many things that have similar symptoms, it's near impossible for me to figure it out.

It gets to the point where you ask yourself is it worth the money to save a $10 chicken? I just spent $25 to help my rooster. I treated him for both Cocci and worms. Now he has this weird sneezing/squealing thing going on. Like you said it's confusing. His breathing is fine, he's very active, he's eating, crowing, mating but throughout the day he makes this quick almost squealing sound, shakes his head and then goes back to doing what he was doing.

 

[heartsizedfarm]

So far, so good. Our Easter Egger named Haruha didn't show any more symptoms after early yesterday morning and none so far today. She sounds clear and looks great.

I don't know what it was, but it sure scared the bajeebers out of me. I wish all cases were this simple.

Maybe she had a foreign body there that the drinking and Rx helped her pass? Mine can get a bit wheezy on a really humid pollen filled day. Glad it resolved itself!