Deep Breathing / Wheezing

[WooHoo451]

My wife had a snow day today and went out to give the chickens fresh water since its been freezing nightly. She noticed one of the five of our RIRs was taking deep breaths and wheezing with every breath. It's been really cold the last few weeks, so I have been keeping them inside their coop all day. I just started giving them scratch to pass the time and I make sure they have fresh water and deep litter. She doesn't seem to be eating or drinking at all, but I also didn't notice any discharge around her mouth or eyes. She stretches her neck up when she breathes. This is our first winter raising chickens, so any help would be appreciated. Not really sure what is wrong, but we brought her inside to watch her more closely and are keeping her in a dog cage to keep the other animals from bugging her. Thanks!!

 

[Eggcessive]

More than likely it is a respiratory infection, but a gapeworm infection can cause severe gaping and noisy breathing. Mycoplasma G (also called CRD) and infectious bronchitis are a couple of the common infections. This is a link to a chicken with gapeworm: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/831466/hen-breathing-very-heavily-advice-video-included

 

[Eggcessive]

Some respiratory diseases are viruses, and won't respond to antibiotics. Others will respond to antibiotics like oxytetracycline, Tylan, and erythromycin. Here is a list of common diseases: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

 

[WooHoo451]

Where could I get chicken antibiotics? She doesn't sound like the video you posted, but does gape for air like that. Just with more of a chicken sound to it. If that makes sense.

 

[Eggcessive]

Most farm and feed stores carry a few antibiotics--usually Tylan 50 injectable for shots, Tylan powder, Gallimycin (erythromycin,) Duramycin 10, and others. Some are easily available online if you Google the medication. I think Tylan is probably the best.

 

[WooHoo451]

Now every so often she'll wheeze and it sounds painful rather than just labored breathing. It almost like a squealing pig....there are no visible signs on the outside of anything wrong. Nostrils and mouth are both clean and clear.

 

[Eggcessive]

Does she have watery eyes? You might look over that link again in post # 3, and read about infectious larygotracheitis (ILT) and aspergillosis to see if one of those fits. ILT will typically cause bloody nasal and oral secretions, though in later stages. Aspergillosis can cause gasping, and is caused by exposure to some molds. Most of the typical respiratory diseases such as mycoplasma G. and infectious bronchitis will have watery eyes and nasal drainage. I would probably start some antibiotics when you can get some. You can also easily treat for possible gapeworm with Safeguard liquid goat wormer 1/4 cc or ml for every pound of weight for 3 days in a row by mouth.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Is there an ammonia smell in the morning when you open the door to the coop?

 

[WooHoo451]

I woke up this morning, and she died over night which is very sudden to me. I'd like to learn more about this, so if it happens again I can try to treat it immediately. I looked at all sorts of posts on here to diagnose the situation, and made the necessary observations. Her eyes and nostrils were normal. I checked her vent and noticed mucusy remnant stuck to her feathers, but I attributed that to a soft broken egg I had found a couple days earlier. Also, no different smells in the coop, but I will check again this afternoon to make sure. The situation seemed to escalate quickly, since I didn't notice anything 2 days prior, although like I said I am a chicken noob and may not have known enough to see the signs. I have been giving them warm to hot water since it's been cold, and I'm wondering if that's a bad thing as well. Thanks for your help guys, at least I was able to make her comfortable near the pellet stove before she died.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Oh I am so sorry she didn't make it.

It is so nice that you were able to keep her as comfortable as possible during her passing.