Funny coughing sneezing sounds- what to do?

[1keegan]

We have 7 hens in a backyard coop. they normally free range during the day.
This morning our Buff Orpington is making a funny choking/cough/sneezing sound every few minutes, sort of shaking her head as she does it. It almost sounds like she's trying to crow!
We took her inside to write this, and offered her some cornbread and yogurt. She'll eat a bit, then almost has a wheezy sounding cluck, then it stops. She's calm, but almost seems to alarm herself when she makes this sound.
None of the others are doing this.
Suggestions please?
thanks

 

[aoxa]

Have you added any new birds recently?

Is there any discharge from her nose?

What type of bedding are you using?

When's the last time you cleaned out the coop?

Hope I can help you once I know the above

 

[1keegan]

We added 3 new birds 2 months ago, all from the same breeder, none have shown any signs of illness.

2 birds were at a poultry show over this past weekend, but the Orpington wasn't one that went.

We use the white shavings- I believe pine
We cleaned their coop a week ago.

As I hold her, I can see a bit of moisture at each nostril. No running or bubbling. No discharge from the eyes.
I can hear almost every breath she takes.

 

[aoxa]

We added 3 new birds 2 months ago, all from the same breeder, none have shown any signs of illness.

2 birds were at a poultry show over this past weekend, but the Orpington wasn't one that went.

We use the white shavings- I believe pine
We cleaned their coop a week ago. 

As I hold her, I can see a bit of moisture at each nostril. No running or bubbling. No discharge from the eyes.
I can hear almost every breath she takes.

Since there is a bit of nasal discharge, I am thinking it could be an upper respiratory infection, which is not good. This is also known as CRD and is highly contagious. They can't just recover. They will become carriers even when healthy. I would not say this for sure unless others showed symptoms though.

The birds from the breeder could be healthy carriers - it's hard to say. One could have picked up the illness at the poultry show and is just not showing signs yet, but the one you are seeing the signs in could have a weaker immune system.

There is also a chance that it is fungal.. I would keep the sick one far away from the others. If no others show any signs, you might be dealing with just a fungal infection (not just - it is serious as well, but not contagious). Fungal infections can be treated with Oxine. I had a rooster with a fungal infection in the lungs. We kept him in the garage for a week, and misted him morning and night. He recovered after a few days.

Oxine will also help CRD, so you can use that for both instances. I am not sure what you raise your chickens for - if it is for show, breeding or pets. I would suggest not selling any more birds or bringing any more in until you know what is going on. There is this all in - all out attitude when it comes to CRD. The disease can pass through to the developing embryo if their parents had it.

 

[1keegan]

Thanks for your advice.

We got 5 hens to keep for eggs, and this hen is still laying.

I will try to find Oxine...is it an antibiotic, and can it be found at most feed mills? Does it go into their water?
I have some soluable terramycin on hand- would that be of benefit?

Should I keep this hen separate until her breathing and sounds are back to normal?

Would you give a precautionary dose of anything to the others?

 

[aoxa]

Thanks for your advice.

We got 5 hens to keep for eggs, and this hen is still laying.

I will try to find Oxine...is it an antibiotic, and can it be found at most feed mills? Does it go into their water?
I have some soluable terramycin on hand- would that be of benefit?

Should I keep this hen separate until her breathing and sounds are back to normal?

Would you give a precautionary dose of anything to the others?

If the Terramycin doesn't work - you are looking at a fungal infection. That would help if it is CRD.

Oxine is used by putting in a misting bottle and spraying them in the face (from a distance) enough so that they breathe the mist in. You can also use a humidifier or a fogger. I found the misting bottle worked just fine and it was cheap.

I don't know where you would find it. They may have it at your feed store, but I doubt it. You could order online. It is a wonder drug!

http://www.shagbarkbantams.com/oxine.htm