Help! Sick Rooster is Breathing Oddly and Heavily!

[TwinsLoveChicks]

Tonight when I went out to lock up my chickens I heard a noise like raspy breath in the bushes, and when I went over to see what was going on, I found one of my roosters sitting in the bushes, breathing oddly and heavily. I brought him inside, but I'm afraid to make him drink any water for fear of choking him. It sounds as though he either has a respiratory problem or has something lodged in his throat, making his breathing sounds raspy. I don't know what to do. Whatever it is seems respiratory because he has dried mucus around and on his beak, and I looked down his throat but didn't see anything. I might have just not been able to see it, though. Please help!
Thank you in advance,
-TwinsLoveChicks

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Tonight when I went out to lock up my chickens I heard a noise like raspy breath in the bushes, and when I went over to see what was going on, I found one of my roosters sitting in the bushes, breathing oddly and heavily. I brought him inside, but I'm afraid to make him drink any water for fear of choking him. It sounds as though he either has a respiratory problem or has something lodged in his throat, making his breathing sounds raspy. I don't know what to do. Whatever it is seems respiratory because he has dried mucus around and on his beak, and I looked down his throat but didn't see anything. I might have just not been able to see it, though. Please help!
Thank you in advance,
-TwinsLoveChicks

Since he has mucous around and on his beak it does sound like a respiratory illness.

There are several respiratory illnesses that present with difficulty breathing and mucous, so it will be hard to determine which one you are dealing with unless you have some testing done. Most respiratory illnesses are contagious and can make him a carrier of the illness for life.

Try to clear his nostrils of mucous (wipe it away with a warm damp cloth) and encourage him to drink-staying hydrated if important. You can try giving antibiotics to see if it will help. Keep in mind that antibiotics only treat secondary bacterial infections (complications of respiratory illness) but won't cure the illness. You can use injectable Tylan 50. Dosage is 1 cc or ml per 5 pounds of weight. You can give it orally or as an injection into the breast muscle 1/4 inch deep. Weigh your rooster so you can give him the proper dosage.

Let us know how he is doing.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

 

[TwinsLoveChicks]

Thank you! I am worried about making him drink because it looks like he'll choke if he does.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you! I am worried about making him drink because it looks like he'll choke if he does.

Can you post a video or photos of him (his actions/gasping?)

What course of treatment(s) have you tried so far?
Will he drink anything by himself?

He needs to be hydrated. If you are afraid he will choke, then you can try giving fluids subcutaneously or see a vet, they should be able to do it for you. This is giving fluids by injecting it under the skin.

Another choice is tubing fluids into him. I will link you to both methods. @casportpony has several threads detailing both procedures, but if you are leary about trying it yourself, seek vet care.

Getting him hydrated is key to helping him recover. After that offer some poultry vitamins, wet feed, chopped egg or tuna to see if he starts to improve.

Let us know how he is doing.


SUBCUTANEIOUS FLUIDS
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ntains-pictures-of-a-deceased-plucked-chicken
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/845005/need-immediate-help-to-save-juvenile-roo/80 POST#90

TUBE FEEDING/HYDRATING
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/805728/go-team-tube-feeding photos start at POST#15
More information/video recommended by Kathy------http://lafeber.com/vet/tube-feeding-birds/