Gasping and rattle

[Ladyfisherwoman]

Hello, I am new to BYC. I have had my birds starting about 2 years ago. Most of the birds I bought as peeps but I do have some girls that were given to me. They have in general been a healthy crew but in 2 years I had 2 birds die suddenly overnight with no symptoms the night before. Both of those birds were given to me as older birds but that was many months ago and many months apart. I have 2 houses with enclosed separate yards. Well suddenly 5 days ago, saw one of my Buff colored Orpington gasping for air. She is part of my original 5 peeps. Last time they were wormed was 2.5 months ago. No cough, but especially when agitated has a rattle to her breathing, No other symptoms. Pulled her inside, got her set up in my other bathroom. Read up on the forums,suspected Gapeworm, so got some Safe-Guard. Calculated 20mg/g dosing and gave her basically a drop of the solution once a day for 4 days. Today she is basically unchanged but her appetite is down. Her eyes are clear, no sneezing, no cough, no discharge, crop is empty, no diarrhea, no eggs laid in 4 days but the girls are slower in egg production currently with the short days. None of the other chickens are sick. I looked down her throat and tried swabbing her throat, no red worms seen. What should I do now? (going to the vet is not a realistic option)

 

[babyrabbitjones]

Sorry your bird is sick! I've heard good things about "VetRX Poultry Remedy" for respiratory ailments. I bought some at Tractor Supply to have on hand, but haven't had to use it. Good luck with her, I hope she recovers soon.

 

[babyrabbitjones]

Also, I just recalled when one of my hens had sour crop, she seemed to be gasping for air, however she did have obvious symptoms of a puffed up crop in addition to her distressed appearance....

 

[PoultryGirly]

Yes, I agree with babyrabbitjones. VetRx is very good for respiratory problems in poultry. Good luck!

 

[Ladyfisherwoman]

Thank you all so much for the quick response and warm wishes. Will pick some up tomorrow and let you know.......

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Also check for moldy feed or feed tossed on ground turning moldy. Also mold in coops.

 

[babyrabbitjones]

Yes, mold can afflict them with botulism, one of my birds died of suspected botulism poisoning last year(she got into moldy hay in an old barn), however the most clear indicator of that, is that the chicken is unable to stand, hold open it's eyes, and the time between ingestion and death is very short. Frequent doses of Epsom salt solution can be given if you suspect a bird has gotten into something moldy.

 

[Eggsoteric]

If she has a "percolator" sound to her breathing and there are no other symptoms, it could be fungal in nature. There are a number of threads on the forum re treating fungal infections using "non-activated" Oxine AH in a cool mist vaporizer/nebulizer.

Here's a good article:

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

Good luck!

 

[chicken pickin]

If she has a "percolator" sound to her breathing and there are no other symptoms, it could be fungal in nature. There are a number of threads on the forum re treating fungal infections using "non-activated" Oxine AH in a cool mist vaporizer/nebulizer.

Here's a good article:

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

Good luck!

to the OP-I see this thread is old but was just curious if your hen pulled through or if any other symptoms ever showed.

Eggsoteric- I was wondering if you knew of any other things that may cause the "percolator" breathing sound? I have 2 chickens that during our heat wave had what you describe as "percolator" breathing. I isolated them but now that the heat wave is gone so is the breathing sound. No other symptoms. Could it have been due to over heating?

 

[Ladyfisherwoman]

My chicken never got worse but never got better. I did try Vet Rx and I tried tetracycline. I was afraid to keep her anywhere near the other chickens and unfortunately, the location where I had her was not as secure. After 2 weeks, she went missing. Probably a fox. I still appreciate how people were trying to help out though.