Emergency! Hen not breathing in, pale comb, shaking body

[Chickenslol]

She didn't go limp, she actually seized up a bit. I had her in my hand when she did it.

So far I've been watching her and she is just munching on food and drinking like she normally does. Very odd. She is an indoor/outdoor hen so I brought her and her buddy inside for today so I can keep watch.

Poop is very normal!

She and her 3 other siblings have not started laying yet, but they all started "squatting" for me when I pet them as of 2 days ago. It may just be a submissive thing but could be hormones as well.

Thank you so much for the information, at this point i would reccomend vet just to be sure, but it doesn't seem urgent if all other behaviors are fine. You are doing great, and it's clear you care a lot about your birds. please keep us updated and best of luck!

 

[Chickenslol]

As the last post mentions, I would separate her tonight and just for tonight take away the food. Feel her crop tonight and then in the morning before you give back the food. Check for poop as well.

It could be any number if things. Possibly a partial obstruction.

Check your coop tonight as well for signs of red mites. They are bad this time of year and if you have them in your coop, she could be anemic, which could also cause difficulty breathing.

x2

 

[Liza728w]

As the last post mentions, I would separate her tonight and just for tonight take away the food. Feel her crop tonight and then in the morning before you give back the food. Check for poop as well.

It could be any number if things. Possibly a partial obstruction.

Check your coop tonight as well for signs of red mites. They are bad this time of year and if you have them in your coop, she could be anemic, which could also cause difficulty breathing.

Thank you very much. I will keep an eye on her tonight and hopefully see if the vet can also check for anything stuck in her air pipe.

 

[Buffy Brahma Mama]

Thank you very much. I will keep an eye on her tonight and hopefully see if the vet can also check for anything stuck in her air pipe.

I hope it goes well. Have them at least do an x-ray if you can.

 

[Liza728w]

As the last post mentions, I would separate her tonight and just for tonight take away the food. Feel her crop tonight and then in the morning before you give back the food. Check for poop as well.

It could be any number if things. Possibly a partial obstruction.

Check your coop tonight as well for signs of red mites. They are bad this time of year and if you have them in your coop, she could be anemic, which could also cause difficulty breathing.

I also grabbed a dropper and slowly helped her drink some electrolyte vitamin solution that is specifically rich in iron. She drank it all and seemed to like it a lot. I'm watching her, and she is still gasping sometimes when she finishes a bite or drink of water. She has a small history of gasping a little when being fed, (not bad, but I noticed it) so I think you're right in possibly checking for an obstruction.

 

[Liza728w]

I hope it goes well. Have them at least do an x-ray if you can.

Thank you! Yes, I definitely will get an X-ray as soon as possible.

 

[Buffy Brahma Mama]

I also grabbed a dropper and slowly helped her drink some electrolyte vitamin solution that is specifically rich in iron. She drank it all and seemed to like it a lot. I'm watching her, and she is still gasping sometimes when she finishes a bite or drink of water. She has a small history of gasping a little when being fed, (not bad, but I noticed it) so I think you're right in possibly checking for an obstruction.

Just be cautious, as iron can impact her liver if there isn't a deficiency. : ) Check your coop at night if you can, as that's when you would see mites on the roosts.

After an xray, an advanced vet may want to scope her and possibly do blood work. Best wishes!

 

[Buffy Brahma Mama]

Just be cautious, as iron can impact her liver if there isn't a deficiency. : ) Check your coop at night if you can, as that's when you would see mites on the roosts.

After an xray, an advanced vet may want to scope her and possibly do blood work. Best wishes!

Also, it is always best to let them drink on their own, if they will take it. Otherwise, water may enter the airway accidentally.

 

[EggDropper]

Chickens change color normally. Even super healthy chicken change between pale and red several times per day. I can't tell you why exactly, but it's normal I see many of my healthiest chickens change color every day.

The rest sounds like normal behavior to me, like she was sleeping. How long have you had her?

most of the time when chickens turn pale it usually means there are stressed

 

[Liza728w]

I took her in to the vet and they suspect she had a little seizure. She has been doing great since then, so whatever it was probably resolved! her comb still changes colors pretty rapidly but I think it's normal behavior.