Egg bound or respiratory?

[Jlilly89]

Hello all,
I have about an 18 month old black sex link (Louise) that I adopted about a month ago... Over the weekend we brought home 3 new hens. Yesterday I noticed that Louise was just hanging out on the roosting pole, sleeping. Not like her... I walked over to her and could here some rattling in her breathing. We typically get 4 eggs a day and have only been getting 3 the last 2 days so I am assuming it is her that is not laying. My son threw some food to her and she didn't respond to it. This morning when I got up her breathing sounded the same- she has no other respiratory symptoms (drainage, cough). Could it just be from stress, could she be egg bound or is it something that could kill my other 8 chickens? It has also been raining off and on the last few days..
Thanks,
Jessica

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Egg bound hens don't have rattly breathing and usually stay in the lay box not on roost... I suspect something else.

Have you seen her droppings? Is she passing any? What is the color or consistency?

Where did these 3 "new" girls come from? Any quarantine?

AT 18 month she may be approaching molt, where are you located? See an exploded pillow flying around or notice any missing feathers on her?

So you have 9 chickens total? In how much space? Do you know where about she lands in the pecking order?

You say she is essentially lethargic, not eating... drinking once off roost? Current or recent weather conditions?

One month ago... added new birds... perfect timing for something to show up that was brought in!

Since she isn't staying with the flock, I would consider bringing her into a secluded place and monitoring in intake and output. Can you feel her crop? Is it hard, full, squishy, empty? At the end of the day then again in the morning with no access to feed and water. Any sour smell coming from the mouth? What do you feed on a regular basis including treats and supplements? Just searching for clues... there is no right or wrong answer here.

Hoping you get some answers and she recovers quickly.

ETA: I would offer nutritional support in the form of a scrambled egg as they are often palatable, easy to digest, and loaded with nutrient. Yogurt maybe for probiotic support. And liquids are key as dehydration is deadly fast.

 

[Jlilly89]

Egg bound hens don't have rattly breathing and usually stay in the lay box not on roost... I suspect something else.

Have you seen her droppings? Is she passing any? What is the color or consistency?

Where did these 3 "new" girls come from? Any quarantine?

AT 18 month she may be approaching molt, where are you located? See an exploded pillow flying around or notice any missing feathers on her?

So you have 9 chickens total? In how much space? Do you know where about she lands in the pecking order?

You say she is essentially lethargic, not eating... drinking once off roost? Current or recent weather conditions?

One month ago... added new birds... perfect timing for something to show up that was brought in!

Since she isn't staying with the flock, I would consider bringing her into a secluded place and monitoring in intake and output. Can you feel her crop? Is it hard, full, squishy, empty? At the end of the day then again in the morning with no access to feed and water. Any sour smell coming from the mouth? What do you feed on a regular basis including treats and supplements? Just searching for clues... there is no right or wrong answer here.

Hoping you get some answers and she recovers quickly.

ETA: I would offer nutritional support in the form of a scrambled egg as they are often palatable, easy to digest, and loaded with nutrient. Yogurt maybe for probiotic support. And liquids are key as dehydration is deadly fast.

Thank you for your reply! I've not seen her droppings specifically but nothing unusual in the coop or run. The 3 new girls came from a from and are not laying yet. We did not quarantine them first I am a newbie at this chicken stuff. I am located in Virginia, we have had a nasty wet week. No missing feathers, she is kept in the roost at night and free ranges only when we are home during the day and into the evening.
We have 8 hens and a rooster in a Coop/run for 10-12 chickens. I do not know where she lands in pecking order- this has changed some since the new hens came. She is one of the new birds- so if she brought it she has it. None of the others have symptoms ... yet. No sour smell from her mouth- they are on layer feed with oyster shell supplement (as someone laid a soft shell recently). We also give corn scratch and they eat just about any left over table scraps suitable for chickens (bread, corn, watermelon, cooked eggs, chicken salad, cauliflower... this is about all they have had so far). My husband just home to check on her and said she is in the nesting box and about the same as this morning. Thank you I am worried about her and the rest of the flock