Hen having trouble breathing...

[Humble Shack Farm]

I picked up a few new hens recently and one of them is struggling. Her breathing sounds wet and she spends a lot of time laying down with her mouth wide open panting. Has trouble eating and swallowing, seems to make her choke. No lesions inside her mouth. Didn't find anything blocking her throat. She looks to be in pretty good health otherwise.
I was initially concerned about this hen when I brought her home, but it took me a few days to find which hen it was again because there are two that look alike and she did get up and move around more with the other birds for a few days. We moved them to a bigger space last night and that's when we noticed her breathing was off.

I suspect that when she was picked up and held upside down she may have vomited and aspirated whatever was in her crop (we picked them up near dark so the guy we got them from could just grab them off the roost). What's the likelihood of that and how can I help her? is there something else I should be concerned about?

Right now she is in a crate by herself, I have molasses and the stuff in the picture in her water, and some soaked chick starter crumble (hoping it would be easier for her to eat).

Side note, it looked like the guy who gave me these chickens was feeding them corn meal and wild bird seed. I'm guessing that's why they aren't all laying for him yet.

 

[picklestheduck]

Does she have any bubbles in her eyes or nasal discharge? Can you post a video of her breathing on YouTube and add the link to this thread?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I suspect that when she was picked up and held upside down she may have vomited and aspirated whatever was in her crop (we picked them up near dark so the guy we got them from could just grab them off the roost). What's the likelihood of that and how can I help her? is there something else I should be concerned about?

The whole point of grabbing after dark is to prevent man handling in my experience.. birds are handled upside right. Your imagined scenario is possible though. I've never aspirated a full grown bird, chicks usually do not fare well. I would be concerned in full grown bird for that fluid in the lungs to turn into pneumonia.

Respiratory disease should be of concern. Trouble breathing you describe is called "rales" in the first link and noting that not all symptoms will be displayed by all birds.. sometimes it's just a few..

https://poultry.extension.org/articles/poultry-health/diseases-of-the-poultry-respiratory-system/

https://www.mspca.org/angell_services/respiratory-disease-chickens/

Molasses can cause diarrhea.

Chick starter is a good choice as long as oyster shell is available on the side for active layers.. Flock Raiser is higher in amino acids.. which does a lot to support immune function in my experience and research.

Rooster Booster brand Poultry Cell (product) or Poultry Booster (product) are both great supplement to support a bird during times of stress.

Side note, it looked like the guy who gave me these chickens was feeding them corn meal and wild bird seed. I'm guessing that's why they aren't all laying for him yet.

High calorie low nutrient feed is sometimes a cause of ascites (water belly) which can also cause breathing trouble.. How does her abdomen feel between her legs.. like everyone else or puffy?

Any way of knowing or approximating her age? Or know what breed she is? Are able to post photos?

 

[Humble Shack Farm]

Does she have any bubbles in her eyes or nasal discharge? Can you post a video of her breathing on YouTube and add the link to this thread?

No bubbles or discharge of any kind. I could not get a video today but I will try in the morning.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Post the video on You Tube, then here

 

[Humble Shack Farm]

The whole point of grabbing after dark is to prevent man handling in my experience.. birds are handled upside right. Your imagined scenario is possible though. I've never aspirated a full grown bird, chicks usually do not fare well. I would be concerned in full grown bird for that fluid in the lungs to turn into pneumonia.

Respiratory disease should be of concern. Trouble breathing you describe is called "rales" in the first link and noting that not all symptoms will be displayed by all birds.. sometimes it's just a few..

https://poultry.extension.org/articles/poultry-health/diseases-of-the-poultry-respiratory-system/

https://www.mspca.org/angell_services/respiratory-disease-chickens/

Molasses can cause diarrhea.

Chick starter is a good choice as long as oyster shell is available on the side for active layers.. Flock Raiser is higher in amino acids.. which does a lot to support immune function in my experience and research.

Rooster Booster brand Poultry Cell (product) or Poultry Booster (product) are both great supplement to support a bird during times of stress.


High calorie low nutrient feed is sometimes a cause of ascites (water belly) which can also cause breathing trouble.. How does her abdomen feel between her legs.. like everyone else or puffy?

Any way of knowing or approximating her age? Or know what breed she is? Are able to post photos?

Will share a video tomorrow. Pneumonia is what I was worried about. I did not notice anything different with her when I picked her up and I checked her all over. But I can check again tomorrow since I know of something else to look for.

I believe she is between 1-2 years old, right now she doesn't seem to be laying. I believe she is an olive egger. Not sure what hatchery she is from.

Thanks for the links. We have these new birds isolated from our other flocks and are being careful not to spread anything between them. I have further isolated this hen because she was the only one showing any unusual symptoms. The rest of the flock, including the other hens her age (most of them are younger and not yet laying), are doing great.

 

[Humble Shack Farm]

Post the video on You Tube, then here

Will do

 

[Humble Shack Farm]

Will share a video tomorrow. Pneumonia is what I was worried about. I did not notice anything different with her when I picked her up and I checked her all over. But I can check again tomorrow since I know of something else to look for.

I believe she is between 1-2 years old, right now she doesn't seem to be laying. I believe she is an olive egger. Not sure what hatchery she is from.

Thanks for the links. We have these new birds isolated from our other flocks and are being careful not to spread anything between them. I have further isolated this hen because she was the only one showing any unusual symptoms. The rest of the flock, including the other hens her age (most of them are younger and not yet laying), are doing great.

Oh and I should have mentioned that I saw the birds picked up and held upside down. I was there when he got them off the roost and he handed me each bird. Uploading a video now.

 

[Humble Shack Farm]

It's hard to hear, I didn't have a super quiet place to take a video. If you turn the volume up for the last few seconds you can hear her take a kind of squeaky breath. She's definitely struggling to breath and if I don't find a way to help her today that I am sure will make her better quickly I think I will just let her go. She is not active or eating today.

 

[Humble Shack Farm]

Any advice ChickNanny13 or EggSighted4Life?