HELP!! My hen can't breathe

[The Chickens' Maid]

Is is hot where you are? It's not unusual for hens to pant in hot/humid weather, even if it's not excessively hot. It that's not it, I've found that sometimes when our girls have something stuck in their nose, they will pant (since they can't breathe through their nose) and sneeze (which sounds a LOT like honking/barking). You won't necessarily be able to see anything in their nose, but it's nothing to worry about at all. She'll sneeze out whatever dust got in there and go about her day. Just keep an eye on her for any other symptoms or general lethargy. It may be good to give her some water and keep the other hens from bullying her, if you want to do something, but from your description, it sounds like there should be nothing medical to worry about.

Welcome to BYC!

 

[jeanetteiacovon]

The Chickens Maid...thanks for the response, I did put a drip of water in her beak but she shakes it out. She still honks but mostly at night. Yes it is hot and like 80% humid. We live in SC. I just picked up a probiotic to add to the water and penicillin just incase over the weekend she does need it, we do not have a vet that would see a chicken so I am on my own. She eats and drinks fine and runs around with the flock. The only thing is when she does honk, a few of the others chase her. Any more info would be great. Thanks again

 

[The Chickens' Maid]

It sounds like you're doing everything you can. If she's not acting lethargic or sick and if the others aren't seriously hurting her (drawing blood/keeping her from eating and drinking), then there's probably nothing to worry about. It does sound like the heat has a lot to do with it. I've had hens that started to act differently in hot/humid weather. Panting is normal, in fact it's healthy (chicken's are like dogs, they can't sweat so they pant). I think the honking is most likely sneezing. Sometimes they can have things stuck in their nose for a while. It's also possible that, if she's still maturing, her voice is changing, which makes her honk every now and then. Generally, if there is any respiratory issue with a chicken, their breathing will sound labored and raspy. If her breathing sounds normal and she's just honking, then she's probably fine.

Hope she snaps out of it!

 

[jeanetteiacovon]

My Snow sounds better this morning, I think she will be fine. Thank you for your help.

 

[The Chickens' Maid]

Sure! Glad to hear that she's better!

 

[MidwestChickens]

Please help! I just lost a hen in between yesterday and early today. I can't find signs of How she was snatched or how she got out. It isnt like my chickens to just leave and not come back. They are my pets they love me and will follow me. Very tame. Anyways so when i finally came to the conclusion that she was gone i noticed my rooster was gasping or gaping. He has never done this. He gasped maybe once every 7 secs or so. I eventually tried to go inside and calm down. Once i was calm i went back to check on him and he didnt seem to be doing it anymore. What happened to him? Did he just have food stuck or something? Plz i need answers. I get anxiety bad.

 

[The Chickens' Maid]

Slow down, it's ok!
For your rooster, if he stopped gasping, then he's fine. Listen to his breathing to see if he sounds raspy or labored. If he doesn't sound unusual (you might be able to hear slight breathing noises, but that's ok. Raspy breathing is obvious.), then don't worry about him, he probably was just trying to swallow some food.
For your hen, do your chickens free range? How old is your hen? What kind of coop/run setup do you have? Usually a predator will leave some sort of sign of its presence (tracks, claw marks on wood), and if a hen was snatched, there may be a large amount of her feathers around. Chickens will lose feathers when attacked or surprised as a defense mechanism. Take a deep breath, it is possible that she is just broody, and she found some hiding place to hatch her eggs. Take a look around and see if there are any small details out of the ordinary.
Hope this helps!

 

[Daisy May]

I had to put a hen down today who was trying to breath and was making a terrible gurgling sound. I feel absolutely horrible about it and worried I overreacted. She had been sick about a week. Last weekend I noticed her looking at some fluid that had come out of her beak when her head was down. Her crop was squishy so I thought it was sour crop and treated her accordingly. She wasn't eating much. Her poops went from watery & green to just the yellow urates and we're sticking to her bum. She would spend her days sitting or standing around with her eyes closed. I noticed her breast bone becoming much more noticable and i have been treating my flock for mites. Today I caught her to clean her bum & when I was done I heard her fluid filled chest trying to breath. Did a quick search, feared for the health of the rest of my flock and put her down. Now I'm worried I acted in haste. :-(

 

[jeanetteiacovon]

Hi chicken maid has a very good point. About 15 years ago I had a flock of hens and one got out, no feathers no nothing...just gone. She turned up down the street 3 days later.I know she had an angel on her wing it could have very easily ended up bad. she must have gotten spooked and then lost her way. Also they will roost high in trees if given the chance and under bushes. Spread the word in you area...maybe you will find her. Call to her when you take a walk in the morning and see if she will pop out from under a bush or something. Good luck please keep us posted.

 

[The Chickens' Maid]

I had to put a hen down today who was trying to breath and was making a terrible gurgling sound. I feel absolutely horrible about it and worried I overreacted. She had been sick about a week. Last weekend I noticed her looking at some fluid that had come out of her beak when her head was down. Her crop was squishy so I thought it was sour crop and treated her accordingly. She wasn't eating much. Her poops went from watery & green to just the yellow urates and we're sticking to her bum. She would spend her days sitting or standing around with her eyes closed. I noticed her breast bone becoming much more noticable and i have been treating my flock for mites. Today I caught her to clean her bum & when I was done I heard her fluid filled chest trying to breath. Did a quick search, feared for the health of the rest of my flock and put her down. Now I'm worried I acted in haste. :-(

Long-term lethargy is a pretty sure sign of a sick hen. Since chickens are prey animals, they don't tend to show obvious signs of illness or injury until they are really not well. From my limited perspective, it sounds like you did the right thing.

To anyone posting new questions: it's best to start a new thread if you have any kind of question. You'll get the full resources of the BYC community and some advice from people who have much more experience than I do!