Chicken Loudly Gasping for Air and Wheezing

[TheBestMidwestFlock]

I have a one year old hen who is struggling to breathe. She is stretching her neck out and making a wheezing noise as she gasps for air. She is sitting still just trying to breathe, and her comb is slightly purple and flopped over, which isn’t normal for her. I have felt her neck to see if anything is lodged in it, but I haven’t felt anything. She is still very alert, looking around, but she’s not moving her body because she’s using her whole body to try to breathe. Does anyone know what could be wrong with her and/or how to treat it? She is a Starlight Green Egger in case that’s relevant, and none of my other chickens have any symptoms. She is separated from the other chickens now in case it’s contagious. I went to check on the chickens this evening and found her like this about an hour ago.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have a one year old hen who is struggling to breathe. She is stretching her neck out and making a wheezing noise as she gasps for air. She is sitting still just trying to breathe, and her comb is slightly purple and flopped over, which isn’t normal for her. I have felt her neck to see if anything is lodged in it, but I haven’t felt anything. She is still very alert, looking around, but she’s not moving her body because she’s using her whole body to try to breathe. Does anyone know what could be wrong with her and/or how to treat it? She is a Starlight Green Egger in case that’s relevant, and none of my other chickens have any symptoms. She is separated from the other chickens now in case it’s contagious. I went to check on the chickens this evening and found her like this about an hour ago.

Welcome To BYC

She may be experiencing Stridor, which is when some food, debris or mucous is inhaled/stuck in the airway. Often Stridor will resolve on its own over the course of a day.

If possible, check inside her beak to make sure there's not an obstruction that is causing the distress.