Hen gasping for air, no vet available

[CountryLife4Me]

Hello. I'm hoping someone can help me. I recently added a rooster to my flock of 17 hens. They are about 7 months old and were in perfect health. I did not realize that you should quarantine new birds, and I added the rooster right into my flock. We soon noticed that the rooster had a runny "nose". By the next day, half my flock was acting sickly as well (runny nose, wheezing, sneezing, not eating much, not very active). Most of them recovered in a couple of days, but I have one hen (Buff Orpington) that is really struggling. She has been gasping for air for the last 4 days, and I hate to see her struggling like that. I've called all the vets in my area and none of them see chickens. I've googled every home remedy possible and tried adding herbs to their food and electrolytes, probiotics and AC vinegar in their water. Does anyone know of anything else I can do? Any medication available without a prescription? TIA!

 

[Crazy Chicken Keeper]

Electrolytes is a good thing to give her, I stood on a chick once and it's innards came out, I stitched it up and gave it electrolytes, she didn't survive but the electrolytes helped her survive longer. I would keep doing that. AC Vinegar is also a good move. Is she gasping or is she standing with her mouth open? If it is the latter it could be gapeworm.

 

[CountryLife4Me]

Electrolytes is a good thing to give her, I stood on a chick once and it's innards came out, I stitched it up and gave it electrolytes, she didn't survive but the electrolytes helped her survive longer. I would keep doing that. AC Vinegar is also a good move. Is she gasping or is she standing with her mouth open? If it is the latter it could be gapeworm.

She is gasping. Standing or lying down, she stretches out her neck and opens her mouth wide to get a breath. Then does that again with every breath. I just ordered some Tiagard based on another thread I just found. Should be here in two days. I hope she can hang on that long. I'm no chicken vet for sure, but it seems like a respiratory illness due to the fact that it spread so quickly through the flock and all have had similar symptoms.

 

[Crazy Chicken Keeper]

OK. Hereis what I would do. I would cull her. If she is a special chook, like my one Marshmallow, I'd give it a shot. But if she is suffering I would humanely put her down. I have no idea what this could be sorry. Respitory illness, like you said, is very likely.

 

[Crazy Chicken Keeper]

OK The medication you suggested is a good idea, definitely try that first. That could help, but based off some research I just did, respitory illness can be lifelong. I will tag some educators for u

@Eggcessive
@Debbie292d

 

[alinas2010]

I’m so sorry to hear about your chicken. I do not have experience with respiratory issues, so I am going to tag some folks for help. @Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive @azygous

For now, I agree on the electrolytes and supportive care. Get her somewhere warm if you can, a crate inside maybe if it isn’t too stressful.

 

[CountryLife4Me]

I’m so sorry to hear about your chicken. I do not have experience with respiratory issues, so I am going to tag some folks for help. @Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive @azygous

For now, I agree on the electrolytes and supportive care. Get her somewhere warm if you can, a crate inside maybe if it isn’t too stressful.

Thank you!

 

[CountryLife4Me]

OK The medication you suggested is a good idea, definitely try that first. That could help, but based off some research I just did, respitory illness can be lifelong. I will tag some educators for u

@Eggcessive
@Debbie292d

Thank you! I have been considering putting her down, but I want to make sure I've tried everything possible first. She seems to be gasping less deeply today. I'm not sure if that's a good sign or not.