Gasping for air

[MaryinChapelHill]

My four month old Orpington is having a tough week. She is much lighter than her same age friend, but she appears to be eating enough. Yesterday she appeared to be gasping for air. Any ideas? Last week one our eight 4 to 5 month-old chickens died overnight, no sign of trauma.

 

[azygous]

You need to rule out a crop disorder. That often produces this sort of symptoms. Feel the crop for fullness. Is it hard and lumpy? Full and spongy? Any sauerkraut odor?

Next, open her beak and check inside her mouth for lesions, scummy plaque that could be blocking her airway. Look at her facial tissue for swelling and eyes for bubbling which could signal a respiratory illness.