Gasping for air when sitting down only

[purdychick]

No she didn’t. This could be the issue. She will be fine then I pick her up to go outside and it starts automatically. Put her down and she’s fine. Anyway to help this?

 

[purdychick]

As I mentioned earlier, it’s most likely internal inflammation putting pressure on the air sacs—and that pressure alone can cause trouble, even without much movement. But the real giveaway? When you lift her up or when she lays down—that’s the ticket that seals the deal. Those position changes shift everything inside just enough to increase the pressure, making her symptoms worse. When it’s the lower air sacs being affected, it often points to issues like an enlarged liver, a mass or tumor, or even a stuck egg. It doesn’t take much—just a little swelling or internal crowding in the wrong spot—to seriously impact her breathing.

Without access to a vet, your goal is to reduce internal inflammation and make breathing as easy as possible for her. Here are some practical steps you can take:

• Minimize stress and handling: Every time you move or pick her up, it shifts internal organs and increases pressure. Keep her calm and avoid unnecessary handling.
• Supportive positioning: Allow her to rest in a way that keeps her body slightly elevated—like propping her chest gently on a rolled towel—to reduce the weight pressing down on her air sacs.
• Anti-inflammatory support(natural options):
  • Milk thistle (liver support)—can be given in small, bird-safe doses.
  • Turmeric—a tiny pinch mixed with soft foods, if tolerated.
  • Chamomile tea—cooled and added to water for its mild anti-inflammatory and calming properties.
• Dietary adjustments:
  • Focus on easy-to-digest, high-antioxidant foods like leafy greens, dandelion, cooked sweet potato, and a bit of fresh papaya or berries.
  • Avoid fatty seeds and heavy starches that could tax the liver.
• Improve air quality:
  • Keep her area well-ventilated but draft-free.
  • Avoid perfumes, cleaning chemicals, smoke, or mold exposure. Kitchens are a mess of a culprit, if you understand how many inhalations and exhalation it takes to clear the air sacs (sorry).
• Monitor for egg-binding: If you suspect an egg (especially if she’s straining or you feel a mass), increase calcium (like cuttlebone or finely ground eggshell), keep her warm, and try a warm shallow soak to relax her muscles.

You're already giving her something powerful: your attention, care, and commitment. With a little support and patience, many birds bounce back from setbacks like this. Keep going—you might be surprised how much progress a bird can make with a calm space, gentle hands, and someone who truly cares.

Thank you. I do have egg shells crushed and ready to go if that’s the case. She’s not bound she just never started laying after her accident