Easter Egger won't stop crying* Update: 1day Later

[coloradogal]

She is almost 4 months old and is an EE. She seemed fine this morning but today she started this crow/cry and hasn't stopped. I don't have permission to actually upload the mpeg or I would. Any suggestions on how to get the 30 sec. movie uploaded? Can I send it to someone and have them do it for me?


I treated her with VetRx and a homeopathic called MMS (2 drops/4oz), put her in a quiet room for the night. I retreated at 3 am and again at 7. She's back out with her flock now at 9:21am.

 

[coloradogal]

Someone told me that it could be her attempting to pass her first egg. It just sounds like she's in pain but her poop just passed and it was solid, she is not lethargic and now that she is in the house - she appears to have calmed down. Does this sound plausible?

 

[CMV]

She is singing her egg song. Get used to it. You will be hearing it a lot.

I have an EE who is a screamer. I can tell her voice out of the whole flock because I hear it all the time. She never shuts up. I hope yours is not quite as vocal as mine.

Good luck.

 

[coloradogal]

I have older hens who have never done this. She is still crying and it's now been over 4 hours since she started. It's an ahhh,ah ah..over and over and over again. She is inside now in a cage. I wish it was the happy egg song but I've never heard an egg song go on for hours nor with each breath.

 

[kelar]

Sent you a pm - she has a respiratory infection..

 

[CMV]

I would separate her from the rest of the flock and see if the noise continues.

Why do you think she has a respiratory infection, kelar? She does indeed seem to be making the noise with every expiration, but I would not have pegged her as having a respiratory infection. I have limited experience with respiratory infections (zero tolerance policy), so I am curious why you think she has one.

 

[coloradogal]

From what I have been told, the causative agent of most respiratory illness in poultry is everywhere outside and the only way to prevent your flock from being infected is by isolating them from outside, which includes their own air supply. Most birds do not get severe infection because those that don't have that herd immunity, get very sick and don't make it. I free range my birds and they are very happy digging in the dirt. In Colorado, it is so very dry with little or no humidity. I do a deep litter method and their room, which measure 20x15 is well ventilated from windows. They have an enclosed run which is 16x 72 and then when I am home, I often give them the option of ranging on the rest of the 3 acres. They generally have no desire to do that so stay near the house and dust bathe. I believe I exacerbated her symptoms last night as I added more straw/shavings and redusted with DE. I sneeze really, really bad sometimes with that stuff.

I have 7 adult hens and 1 adult rooster. I have 3 EE and 3 cuckoo marans that are 4 to4.5 mos old. The last bunch is from McMurray and I have2 phoenix babies, 2 polish, 2 silkies (which I adore) and perhaps 3 or 4 more if the people who went in on the buy don't pick them up soon. I hope to buy some silkie eggs and to finish my hatch of some south american chicks. Then I'm done. If I lose a few due to illness, that's ok because they have lived a darn good life. I haven't yet because I do try my hardest to treat them like chickens but also to make sure their needs are met in regards to food/snacks/bugs/dirt and space.

Thanks everyone for getting back to me. I had just enough time to get to the feedstore and get the vetrx.

 

[kelar]

She is wheezing, not crying - that sound is coming from her breathing.

 

[CMV]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/227963/wheezing-stridor-respiratory-symptoms-after-first-egg

Here's another video of an EE making a similar noise.

 

[dawg53]

I only have one EE and I've had her for five years, I raised her from a 2 day old chick, she's a hatchery bird. I have to say she's probably the smartest bird of the bunch, that's for sure. She honks loudly when temperatures are hot. She has her own distinct "labor pain" noises, much different from my other hens prior to laying...as in what your EE seems to possibly be doing. My EE also has her own distinct egg song after laying. I can always tell her noises from the others, very different. But I believe it's too early for your EE to lay an egg. Hot temps can possibly cause her to make the noises she's making.
IF, she has a respiratory issue, do the following: Pick her up and put your ear to one side of her body and listen for wheezing, gurgling, rattling...a sure sign of a respiratory disease. If you hear any clicking, that could mean a bad heart or bad heart valve. Disregard crop and gut noises while listening. I'd like to add that DE could be the culprit as well. Good luck.