Hen gurgling breathing not eating standing but barely moving.

[Russdiver]

I have a 6 months old Isa brown hen. I didn't notice anything yesterday, but now it sounds like there is phlegm in her lungs, almost sounds like a cat purring. The rest of the flock are healthy and active. Should I isolate her? The weather in Melbourne now is moderate, but the nights get down to about 10degrees C or 50F. I was thinking of bringing her inside and giving ger some garlic oil (Garlic oil worked like magic on another hens cat scratched pussy infected eye!)

 

[Eggcessive]

I do not separate unless they are being pecked or bullied. If she has something infectious, they have all been exposed already. The sound could be rales or crackles from mucus in the airway. She might have a respiratory infection such as MG or something else. Could the swollen eye have been another sign of MG? Oxymav is tetracycline that may be available OTC in AU. Tylosin is another antibiotic that may be used if a vet is available. Here is one place that sells Oxymav b:
https://www.vetnpetdirect.com.au/pr...QzlK-ePLFYOCuFcLFGqbh1FQ33qwh2j08ck4pEG52xCSS


https://www.thegoodlifebackyard.com.au/product/oxymav-b/

 

[Russdiver]

I do not separate unless they are being pecked or bullied. If she has something infectious, they have all been exposed already. The sound could be rales or crackles from mucus in the airway. She might have a respiratory infection such as MG or something else. Could the swollen eye have been another sign of MG? Oxymav is tetracycline that may be available OTC in AU. Tylosin is another antibiotic that may be used if a vet is available. Here is one place that sells Oxymav b:
https://www.vetnpetdirect.com.au/pr...QzlK-ePLFYOCuFcLFGqbh1FQ33qwh2j08ck4pEG52xCSS


https://www.thegoodlifebackyard.com.au/product/oxymav-b/

Thanks for your reply.
The infected eye was another hen years ago. She'd been attacked by a cat and her eye became opaque/white, pussy and infected. The vet wanted to operate to remove the eye but I refused. She was treated with tetracycline for a week or so and the infection cleared, but returned a week later. Then I had some garlic oil tablets that I used on myself for coral cuts. I peirced the capsule and squeezed half of the contents directly onto the infected eye then gave the rest to her orally. I repeated this twice daily. The infection resolved quickly but I kept treating her for another week to be sure. To my amazement her eye healed completely, apart from an irregular shaped iris and as far as I could tell her vision was fine. Unfortinatey garlic is not effective against foxes, and she is no longer with us.

This current hen seems to be recovering slowly. She is moving around and eats a little, but is not as responsive as the other hens. As you suggested the rest of the flock are still fine. So I'll keep an eye on her and get some antiobiotics in case she gets worse. Or maybe I'll give the garlic oil a go first.