HELP! Hen making a gurgling sound!

[ChickBro]

Ok, so I got 3 new hens last week. Gold laced Orpington, Black sex link, and a Cukoo maran. Today I got up and the Gold laced Orpington is making a gurgling sound. What do I do? Will she die? Will it spread to the rest of my flock? I didn't hear anyone else making the sound.

 

[ChickBro]

Maybe they're trying to talk with their beaks full. You need to teach them some manners.

A “respiratory infection” isn’t a diagnosis. You should’ve quarantined them no matter what the seller had said, now your entire flock is infected with something potentially serious and incurable. I’m suspecting you’re dealing with MG or ILT. I highly recommend that you get testing done asap. Please keep a closed flock and don’t breed.

They're not making the sound anymore. Everyone is acting normal and there are no gurgling sounds even when I feed them.

 

[azygous]

I listened to that video. Is that the hen of which you speak? If so, she's likely got a crop disorder causing fluids to spill over into her trachea, causing liquid gurgles. She may need to be treated for sour crop or she may need a crop bra to help her empty her crop. Here is my aricle on identifying crop issues and treating them. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

 

[Mamatomany123]

I now have two chickens making the gurgling sound, but I am starting to hear the sound a lot less often than before. I got some VetRx hoping it would help but I am not sure if it will.

If they're both doing it now then I suspect a respiratory infection. Have you brought any new birds into your flock recently?

 

[ChickBro]

Use a rectal thermometer and place in her vent. Only way with a chicken. How is your chicken doing?

They are doing great, thanks .

 

[M0ndexM0mma]

Sometimes they do make communication sounds. Can you take her temp? Normal is 105 to 109. No congestion from nose?

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

I listened to that video. Is that the hen of which you speak? If so, she's likely got a crop disorder causing fluids to spill over into her trachea, causing liquid gurgles. She may need to be treated for sour crop or she may need a crop bra to help her empty her crop. Here is my aricle on identifying crop issues and treating them. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

The OP said the hen wasn't theirs, but the sound was the same.

 

[Myrshine]

Gurgling of the "chest" isn't actually from the lungs, but rather mucus, pus or blood build-up in the trachea, causing a gurgling and/or congested sound. Disease I know that can cause this are Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (MG) or Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILT). Both of these diseases are permanent lifelong chronic respiratory diseases, that are incurable. MG is treatable with antibiotics to ease the symptoms, but it doesn't cure the infected birds and all birds remain lifetime carriers of the bacteria. As for ILT, it is caused by a virus and since it is, ILT is not treatable nor curable, it is a devastating and horrible disease to let your chickens go through. Since ILT is caused by a type of Gallid Alphaherpesvirus, it is a distant cousin of Marek's Disease, which is also caused by the Gallid Alphaherpesvirus 2. ILT being Gallid Alphaherpesvirus 1 (GaHV-1) and Marek's Disease being Gallid Alphaherpesvirus 2 (GaHV-2). The only way to know if your birds are dealign with MG or ILT, is by getting them tested. If you're in the US, I highly recommend that you talk with your state veterinarian about getting testing done for your birds. Sending out a bird for a necropsy is the most accurate way to get accurate results. Please, whatever you choose to do, DO NOT BREED from your sick birds to SELL/GIVEAWAY/GIFT, ETC, as you'll being spreading disease (which is also reportable). Keep a closed flock- no bringing in anymore birds and no letting any birds from your sick flock, leave your sick flock.

Gurgling can also be related to a crop issue if ONE bird is showing symptoms. If there are more than ONE bird showing gurgling sounds, then it's most likely a disease. Check inside their throats and make sure there are NO blockages or any obstructions causing the gurgling sound.

 

[Peas4Ducks]

Gurgling of the "chest" isn't actually from the lungs, but rather mucus, pus or blood build-up in the trachea, causing a gurgling and/or congested sound. Disease I know that can cause this are Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (MG) or Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILT). Both of these diseases are permanent lifelong chronic respiratory diseases, that are incurable. MG is treatable with antibiotics to ease the symptoms, but it doesn't cure the infected birds and all birds remain lifetime carriers of the bacteria. As for ILT, it is caused by a virus and since it is, ILT is not treatable nor curable, it is a devastating and horrible disease to let your chickens go through. Since ILT is caused by a type of Gallid Alphaherpesvirus, it is a distant cousin of Marek's Disease, which is also caused by the Gallid Alphaherpesvirus 2. ILT being Gallid Alphaherpesvirus 1 (GaHV-1) and Marek's Disease being Gallid Alphaherpesvirus 2 (GaHV-2). The only way to know if your birds are dealign with MG or ILT, is by getting them tested. If you're in the US, I highly recommend that you talk with your state veterinarian about getting testing done for your birds. Sending out a bird for a necropsy is the most accurate way to get accurate results. Please, whatever you choose to do, DO NOT BREED from your sick birds to SELL/GIVEAWAY/GIFT, ETC, as you'll being spreading disease (which is also reportable). Keep a closed flock- no bringing in anymore birds and no letting any birds from your sick flock, leave your sick flock.

Gurgling can also be related to a crop issue if ONE bird is showing symptoms. If there are more than ONE bird showing gurgling sounds, then it's most likely a disease. Check inside their throats and make sure there are NO blockages or any obstructions causing the gurgling sound.

Just wanted to make sure you saw this, OP, it seems like you may have breezed by it.

 

[ChickBro]

Just wanted to make sure you saw this, OP, it seems like you may have breezed by it.

Ok sorry, I did check their throats and there are no blockages or anything. They only make the sound when they are eating, which I thought was really weird.

A “respiratory infection” isn’t a diagnosis. You should’ve quarantined them no matter what the seller had said, now your entire flock is infected with something potentially serious and incurable. I’m suspecting you’re dealing with MG or ILT. I highly recommend that you get testing done asap. Please keep a closed flock and don’t breed.

We will be getting the chickens checked as soon as possible.