Constant sound and chirps

[Kkeds]

Sounds like loud wheezing all day with squawks interspersed. She is an older hen who is not laying. She is not lethargic. She has clear eyes and no discharge. She became aggressive to another hen. This all started today. I don’t know what could be wrong.

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Greetings Kkeds,

You didn't mention if her poop is normal, or if she is eating normally. If her poop is abnormal, follow up by uploading a photo.

There could be several things that are ailing your girl. However, without a vet being able to listen to her lungs and heart, all we can do is go over some possibilities.

1. The most common problem, would be a respiratory infection, involving only the lungs. Which would account for a lack of eye and nasal discharge.
2. The second scenario is, she may have inhaled something into her trachea, and it is affecting her ability to breath.
3. Another problem could be that she is in congestive heart failure. Fluid will accumulate around the heart and lungs causing distress and difficulty breathing.

I am leaning towards scenario, number two. Since this all started suddenly today. She may have inhaled a seed, or some other particle. This is difficult to treat. The body's response will be to surround the particle with mucous, making it harder for the hen to breath. It's always possible for infection to result from this, too. If I couldn't take her to a vet, I would administer a 10 day course of broad spectrum antibiotic. And include, a daily treatment with a nebulizer and some Oxine, or Colloidal Silver would also be helpful. If you don't have a nebulizer, perhaps a humidifier will make her more comfortable. This course of treatment would also address a bacterial respiratory infection in the lungs, if, that is what she has. Treatment of congestive heart failure, is just supportive care, as, this condition is grave.

Isolate the hen in a hospital crate. It's better if she doesn't have to contend with other chickens while she is ill. Supportive care should include warmth, a red brooder bulb is good. Make sure she has enough room to move away from the warmth, if she wants. Of course if it is warm where you live she may not need additional warmth. Electrolytes in the water for the first three days. Make it fresh each day. Soft, wet food is best. A dose of vitamins is also good for three days, to boost her immune system.

You will have to monitor her improvement daily. New symptoms may develop.

These are my thoughts on your hens health issue, based on my experience. I hope I have been helpful. Other members will have advice, please consider these too.

God Bless

 

[Kkeds]

Greetings Kkeds,

You didn't mention if her poop is normal, or if she is eating normally. If her poop is abnormal, follow up by uploading a photo.

There could be several things that are ailing your girl. However, without a vet being able to listen to her lungs and heart, all we can do is go over some possibilities.

1. The most common problem, would be a respiratory infection, involving only the lungs. Which would account for a lack of eye and nasal discharge.
2. The second scenario is, she may have inhaled something into her trachea, and it is affecting her ability to breath.
3. Another problem could be that she is in congestive heart failure. Fluid will accumulate around the heart and lungs causing distress and difficulty breathing.

I am leaning towards scenario, number two. Since this all started suddenly today. She may have inhaled a seed, or some other particle. This is difficult to treat. The body's response will be to surround the particle with mucous, making it harder for the hen to breath. It's always possible for infection to result from this, too. If I couldn't take her to a vet, I would administer a 10 day course of broad spectrum antibiotic. And include, a daily treatment with a nebulizer and some Oxine, or Colloidal Silver would also be helpful. If you don't have a nebulizer, perhaps a humidifier will make her more comfortable. This course of treatment would also address a bacterial respiratory infection in the lungs, if, that is what she has. Treatment of congestive heart failure, is just supportive care, as, this condition is grave.

Isolate the hen in a hospital crate. It's better if she doesn't have to contend with other chickens while she is ill. Supportive care should include warmth, a red brooder bulb is good. Make sure she has enough room to move away from the warmth, if she wants. Of course if it is warm where you live she may not need additional warmth. Electrolytes in the water for the first three days. Make it fresh each day. Soft, wet food is best. A dose of vitamins is also good for three days, to boost her immune system.

You will have to monitor her improvement daily. New symptoms may develop.

These are my thoughts on your hens health issue, based on my experience. I hope I have been helpful. Other members will have advice, please consider these too.

God Bless

Thank you so much for the information

 

[Kkeds]

Thank you so much for the information

I think she must have had something stuck in her respiratory track because by the end of the day she had stopped and was normal again. It was just very distressing hearing her all day. I get very attached to my hens as I’m sure most backyard chicken raisers do. I will definitely keep all the information you provided for any future problems. Again, thank you so much!

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

That's awesome!

I'm so happy the situation has resolved with a happy ending.

I know how you felt. I too, am very attached to my chickens. They are my feather babies.

God's Blessings of good health to you, and your flock.