Chicken with breathing problem

[Karla]

I would like to know whats wrong with my chicken? I am new to raising chickens. This is the first illness I am dealing with. Yesterday I noticed one of my chickens gasping and having problems breathing. What is wrong with her and is there anything I can do?

 

[justusnak]

Karla.....what breed is she? How old?? How many do you have together, and in how big of a space? If its young, and in a box, with heat..maybe too hot?

 

[Karla]

Deb

The chicken is about a year old and I have 15 of them. I actually believe she has a cold. I have kept her inside and have noticed that she is getting better. She is eating well. It may sound strange but I think she may have had a sore throat.

 

[justusnak]

Thats great to hear...she might have just needed some quiet time....are you giving her vitamins in her water? Would be good for her..she might need the boost! Good luck, and keep us posted!

 

[dlhunicorn]

When was the last time you wormed them??? If there is no snot...no swollen sinuses you may be dealing with a case of gapeworm?

 

[Karla]

Just to update those who are interested. My chicken has a cold. I have kept her inside and spoiled her all weekend, I will keep her in until she stops sneezing and having a runny beak. If someone can suggest vitamins or something to make her feel better please let me know.

 

[chickbea]

Lots of folks give Poly-vi-sol (sp?) in the water, but I'm not sure of the dosage.
When my girls have the sniffles, I rub legs, wattles and perches with Poultry Vet Rx. It's like putting Vick's vap-o-rub on your chest - helps clear things out.

 

[dlhunicorn]

Avia Charge 2000 is a complete poultry supplement... most supplements have only a few vitamins and minerals but this one has all the nutritional and spore elements etc. at the recommended NRC levels (so the minimum). I recommend such a complete supplement when a bird is ill as malabsorption of nutrients from the feed they eat occurs with any disease or stress challenge. You can purchase it online from McMurry or Strombergs. I also would recommend giving free choice yogurt (not the desert/flavored kind but the plain one with the live acidolpholus cultures in it) to help the intestinal/gut flora along.