HELP!! Last Gasps! HELP QUICKLY!!!

[Atlchick]

My 2 yr. old Barred Rock is struggling SO HARD to get air in and out. I've given her eye-droppers of water with Sulmet/electrolytes. I DON'T THINK SHE'LL LAST MUCH LONGER . . . IS THERE SOMETHING I COULD DO QUICKLY?

 

[ranchhand]

I am sorry, there's nothing I can think of. Get her inside to cooler air, keep her comfortable. Without more info and time I can't help.

 

[purpletree23]

Any problems/symptoms before this? Watch your other chickens closley for signs of trouble.

 

[Atlchick]

Not until this morning when she was wheezing on the inhale and exhale. Unfortunately, she didn't make it and I just buried her. I read other posts about things stuck in their throats, so I tried a little oil. Also checked for impacted egg, but didn't see anything, of course I'm not sure how far to look. It's very sad, but I tried everything I could think of and it just didn't work. We lost an EE last week, but she wasn't wheezing, just laid around for a few hours until she died.

I'm not sure I'm cut out for this. ADORE the babies, LOVE the big guys, and sure do hate it when they die.

And now I'm getting a little paranoid. . .

 

[purpletree23]

I'm so very sorry for your loss. You did the very best you could do and I'm sure she appreciated you being with her in the end. I've been there myself and it is terribly hard.

Don't doubt yourself about being cut out for this. Chickens give so much joy and affection. I'm wondering if anything is infecting your chickens and the two that you lost were the first to get sick. I like to err on the side of caution so if I were you I would pick up some Tylan Soluble antibiotics. It is broad spectrum and highly recommended by my avain vet. It has a good shelf life (the bottle I have expires in 2011) and since I did have to use it once I like having it around. I was very pleased with the results. If you can't find it at the feed store you can purchase it at firststatevetsupply.com

When you are feeling a little more like yourself check out your flock really well. Check for runny noses, gurgling sounds, sneezes, coughs and loss of appetite and closed or swollen eyes. Check their feathers also while you are out there. Make sure they don't have lice or mites. Make sure their vents are clean and everyone looks happy. When you go out to their pen or run look them over and if they are making too many chicken sounds for you to hear abnormal sounds just whistle. All of them will be silent and then you can hear if anything is wrong.

Update us tomorrow. Get a good nights rest and take care of yourself.

 

[purpletree23]

When was the last time they were wormed? She could have had gape worm.

 

[ranchhand]

Awww, I'm sorry she's gone.

You got lots of good advice and things to do and ponder. Don't give up, just keep plugging away at it.

 

[Jenski]

She could have had a respiratory and/or fungal infection of some kind. Chickens have very small windpipes, so any swelling or infection can carry a risk of suffocation.

So sorry about your hen. As others have said, do keep an eye on the others.

 

[Judy]

At 2 years, if you do not have them on a worming program, I would definitely start with that. It could have caused her death, and even if it id not, it will keep your others much healthier.

Here is some good info on worming:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=2525157#p2525157