Hen breathing with her beak open and making squeaking noise when being held. Advice needed, please.

[tarahharlin]

Again, I'm sorry for your loss
Getting information about what the tumor/mass that was seen on the xray is always a good idea.

I didn't add much to your thread since you were already getting good suggestions/input.
At almost 5yrs of age and the description in the thread, I would agree that likely she was suffering from reproductive problems. Which one, we could only guess, a look see in the abdomen may help clear up some questions.

Is there a reason why you would think this is a virus?
Personally, yes, I would add chicks to the flock. Either hatch my own or source them from a hatchery.

While some reproductive problems like Salpingitis can be a result of diseases like Mycoplasma (bacterial) or Infectious Bronchitis (virus), there are other bacterial infections that can cause the same thing - basically bacteria (E. Coli?) is introduced into the oviduct. Not uncommon when you think about how a vent on a chicken works.
You don't know the cause of what was seen on the xray to begin with, unless you get specifics, e.i. a report from the vet/state lab, it's all speculation at best.

Just my 2¢

Thank you

No, there's no reason I suspect virus, other than I know they often say that many cancers/tumors are caused by them, so that was really the only reason why. We have been talking about adding a few chicks in Spring, since it's been a while and the girls are getting older. In hindsight, I wish I would've sent her off for a necropsy. It would've been good to know.

I guess I'm thankful I had her for as long as I did, since I first started to notice those symptoms that something wasn't right.

 

[rebrascora]

Again, I'm sorry for your loss
Getting information about what the tumor/mass that was seen on the xray is always a good idea.

I didn't add much to your thread since you were already getting good suggestions/input.
At almost 5yrs of age and the description in the thread, I would agree that likely she was suffering from reproductive problems. Which one, we could only guess, a look see in the abdomen may help clear up some questions.

Is there a reason why you would think this is a virus?
Personally, yes, I would add chicks to the flock. Either hatch my own or source them from a hatchery.

While some reproductive problems like Salpingitis can be a result of diseases like Mycoplasma (bacterial) or Infectious Bronchitis (virus), there are other bacterial infections that can cause the same thing - basically bacteria (E. Coli?) is introduced into the oviduct. Not uncommon when you think about how a vent on a chicken works.
You don't know the cause of what was seen on the xray to begin with, unless you get specifics, e.i. a report from the vet/state lab, it's all speculation at best.

Just my 2¢

Since the vet seemed to think it was a tumour, it was my suggestion that it might be caused by a virus since Marek's and LL are both common viruses that cause cancerous tumours in chickens.

 

[Eggcessive]

I think that Azygous also had suggested a virus such as leukosis causing tumors as well. Mareks and avian lymphoid leukosis viruses are well known causes of tumors, but there are other tumors as well.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Say it were a virus, how would you handle your flock differently? Would you choose not to add new chicks?

Since the vet seemed to think it was a tumour, it was my suggestion that it might be caused by a virus since Marek's and LL are both common viruses that cause cancerous tumours in chickens.

Yes, I realize the vet thought it was a tumor....and virus's can cause tumors.
Without necropsy/testing, there's no way to know the cause.

Her question was would you choose to add new chicks...I gave my 2¢ and said yes, I would add chicks
Even if the cause was LL or Marek's, what other options does the OP have if they want to continue with keeping chickens. Neither disease is curable. Symptomatic birds can be culled to help reduce the shedding of the virus or they can be offered supportive care - keeper's choice.