Help! Pullet can't cluck! Shaking head, mouth open....???

[my first peepers]

I just went to let my 5 girls out into the yard and Coco who is usually very vocal can't cluck (actually her normal sound is more like a grumble). She keeps opening her mouth and shaking her head. Does anyone know what this could be? This is my daughters favorite chicken and one of our only two who have started laying. Please help!!

 

[SpottedCrow]

See if she might have something stuck in her throat...It will be a two person job.

 

[Ellie_NY_chick]

It sounds like she's choking....

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Yes, do look down her throat. You will see a number of things.

This most obvious will be a small opening at the base of the back of the throat. This is the wind pipe. Check to see if there is a red tinge to the opening. Check for gape worms and finally check to see that the opening is closing slightly with her breathing.

If this is good, then you will have a chance at finding out what is wrong with her. Chickens put thier heads back, use thier tongue, to close the wind pipe when they drink . She may have mucus in the mouth or nasal passages. Check this out. The roof of the mouthg will be "split" with a part from the back of the beak to the front. If you do not see this, then you need to pull whatever it is out of this. I have have numerous chickens with this space blocked by a forieng object or crusted nasal discharge.

 

[my first peepers]

Thank you for your replies! I went out after reading these prepared to look down her throat but she has been fine ever since! Phew! Well at least now I know what to look for in the future. It's always better to be prepared!
Thanks again!

 

[Mahonri]

Time for the chicken Hymleck manuever...

Hope your chicken gets better soon.