Crackle in breathing and sneezing

[NovaChooks]

Aww... I'm sure that was heartbreaking Sounds like she was just unable to care for her anymore.

Hard to say how long it would last, if she's been like that for 4+ months, then it's chronic, imho. Possibly it could be from the environment she was kept in, but without testing, so, so hard to know. She's quite bright eyed.

I'm going to take a guess and say some of the feather condition, paleness, etc., is from nutritional deficiency (plus whatever respiratory is going on). Did the lady say how old she is? I would actually feed her chick starter or all flock/flock raiser and give her a direct dose of poultry vitamins (I like Poultry Cell) 2 times a week. A nice treat is fine too, provide poultry grit since she's caged - egg, a little fresh greens, etc. may be good.

What breed is she supposed to be?

What state do you live in? Some states are very reasonable with testing, while others it's just outrageous.

I'm actually in Canada so the testing would be really different I assume. We also can't buy antibiotics for poultry here that I know of.

She said she is an English game hen and about a year old.

It's not looking for the poor thing. All the other stuff I can manage and take care of, but the probably respiratory issue.... :/

 

[Eggcessive]

She looks very alert and may be a tough little hen. I would probably try to get her built up to good health, and try to find someone who would like a pet, but does not have other chickens. I have an OEG and she is very personable, friendly and likes to interact. The chick feed or all flock feed with 20% protein would really help her, plus a bit of scambled egg or tuna for an extra protein treat. Living inside, the poor girl may have not had good air circulation or she could have been breathing air that had a lot of ammonia odor. Her cough and crackles could be just from poor air circulation or environmental reasons. That can cause breathing problems. Let us know how she gets along.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm actually in Canada so the testing would be really different I assume. We also can't buy antibiotics for poultry here that I know of.

She said she is an English game hen and about a year old.

It's not looking for the poor thing. All the other stuff I can manage and take care of, but the probably respiratory issue.... :/

Yes, testing is a little different here, each state (usually) has their own lab you can send samples to (for example NC where I am has 4 labs, testing is fairly reasonable here, other states it can be very expensive). This is the only info I have for testing in Canada. You may have other resources like a Veterinary school that might perform tests too, I just don't know.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/...-and-crops/animal-health/animal-health-centre

I do believe you would need a script for antibiotics, they aren't quite as easy to get here as they used to be. Some things you can order online through pigeon supply stores.

I didn't mean to sound so harsh, I do understand your heart is in the right place, you have just been put into a difficult situation. I know what I would do (even though it would be hard), but that's me.

 

[NovaChooks]

Yes, testing is a little different here, each state (usually) has their own lab you can send samples to (for example NC where I am has 4 labs, testing is fairly reasonable here, other states it can be very expensive). This is the only info I have for testing in Canada. You may have other resources like a Veterinary school that might perform tests too, I just don't know.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/...-and-crops/animal-health/animal-health-centre

I do believe you would need a script for antibiotics, they aren't quite as easy to get here as they used to be. Some things you can order online through pigeon supply stores.

I didn't mean to sound so harsh, I do understand your heart is in the right place, you have just been put into a difficult situation. I know what I would do (even though it would be hard), but that's me.

Not harsh at all. I understand the situation and I don't disagree I just can't let that be an animals fate without trying first

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is a good article about trimming or filing an overgrown beak:
https://www.hobbyfarms.com/trim-chickens-beak/

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Not harsh at all. I understand the situation and I don't disagree I just can't let that be an animals fate without trying first

Do you have a vet for any other animals that you have? I was looking to see if you could get Oxine, a vet may carry that. It's not an antibiotic, it's a disinfectant that kills bacteria, fungus, viruses, etc. Some people use it in a vaporizor or spray it to treat symptoms of illness. It can also used for cleaning.
Anyway, that's a thought, see if you can get some of that and see if that makes a difference.

If it was environmental, possibly she will improve on her own over time unless there's damage, still hard to say what the cause is, with the mention that the lady said she was like that when she got her, the crackling may be chronic by now.

Here's some info about Oxine https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-sounds-terrible.1285173/page-4#post-20810790

 

[NovaChooks]

She looks very alert and may be a tough little hen. I would probably try to get her built up to good health, and try to find someone who would like a pet, but does not have other chickens. I have an OEG and she is very personable, friendly and likes to interact. The chick feed or all flock feed with 20% protein would really help her, plus a bit of scambled egg or tuna for an extra protein treat. Living inside, the poor girl may have not had good air circulation or she could have been breathing air that had a lot of ammonia odor. Her cough and crackles could be just from poor air circulation or environmental reasons. That can cause breathing problems. Let us know how she gets along.

I think she may be quite tough. She has lots of life in her eyes, she just hasn't been able to live like a chicken.
Not exactly what I was hoping for when I picked her up though I will admit.

 

[NovaChooks]

I was able to find her a home at an animal Sanctuary
Happy ending!

 

[NovaChooks]

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I was able to find her a home at an animal Sanctuary
Happy ending!

I'm glad things worked out well for you and her