Hen "Honking" and in Distress

[Starburst]

Hello, everyone, and Happy New Year!

I hope you all are doing well.

I wanted to reach out and see if any of you have any insight into what's going on with my Easter Egger, Yuki. She's around 8 years old now (one of my originals!), and is historically a pretty healthy girl.

However, this evening, when I went to put the chickens away, I noticed a strange sound coming from the coop, and found Yuki roosting while making a "honking" sound while breathing. Her beak was slightly agape, but other than that, she appears normal, bright-eyed, and alert. I'm not sure how to upload a video on here, but the best way I can describe the sound I'm hearing is "aah-hoo, aah-hoo" (an "aah" for the inhale and "hoo" for the exhale.) It seems pretty frantic and fast-paced.

I brought her inside and looked in her throat, but I couldn't see an obstruction, and her breath smelled normal, as well. Her crop was partially full, but not completely. The contents definitely felt pretty packed, so I massaged it a bit. I also noticed what felt like a slight lump along her neck -- so again, possible, non-visible obstruction?

I gave her some water and she's currently in a dark room. It's been about 3 hours since I've discovered her, and I'd appreciate any insight on what might be going on and how I can help her. Thank you all so much!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

To upload video, you can add to the gallery, the link shows you how OR you can upload to Youtube and provide a link. If you upload to the BYC Gallery, let us know so we can find it under your profile.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-upload-videos-to-the-gallery.1631126/

Have you added any new birds recently?
If not, and this is a sudden onset, I wonder if she's experiencing Stridor which can be caused by a piece of food, dust/debris, mucous, etc., that is caught in the airway. Usually, Stridor will resolve on its own within 24hrs.


Here's a couple of videos of what Stridor sounds like.

 

[Starburst]

To upload video, you can add to the gallery, the link shows you how OR you can upload to Youtube and provide a link. If you upload to the BYC Gallery, let us know so we can find it under your profile.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-upload-videos-to-the-gallery.1631126/

Have you added any new birds recently?
If not, and this is a sudden onset, I wonder if she's experiencing Stridor which can be caused by a piece of food, dust/debris, mucous, etc., that is caught in the airway. Usually, Stridor will resolve on its own within 24hrs.


Here's a couple of videos of what Stridor sounds like.

Thank you so much! I followed your directions and uploaded a short video to the gallery as you suggested; based off the videos you shared, it does sound similar to strider, I think

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you so much! I followed your directions and uploaded a short video to the gallery as you suggested; based off the videos you shared, it does sound similar to strider, I think

Poor girl, it does sound like Stridor.
Hopefully this will resolve on its own soon, let us know how she's getting along.

Post a link to your Video, so others can find it.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/gallery/img_2109-mov.7967254/

 

[Lemon-Drop]

She still is breathing pretty heavily. But not much we can do besides wait it out?

 

[Adolph Otto]

How's she doing?

 

[Starburst]

Update:

@Lemon-Drop woke up early this morning to check up on Yuki, and reported that her breathing was still slightly labored, but nothing near how it’d been last night.

Later in the morning, I went to check on her, and I am very happy to report that she is breathing normally again!

She did sneeze a few times (hopefully nothing too serious? Let me know if you think I should do something about that) but other than that, she’s looking healthy, alert, and her normal sassy self once again.

Thank you Wyrop so, so much! Your insightful and compassionate words really helped me keep my head on straight when I was otherwise freaking out. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She still is breathing pretty heavily. But not much we can do besides wait it out?

Update:

@Lemon-Drop woke up early this morning to check up on Yuki, and reported that her breathing was still slightly labored, but nothing near how it’d been last night.

Later in the morning, I went to check on her, and I am very happy to report that she is breathing normally again!

She did sneeze a few times (hopefully nothing too serious? Let me know if you think I should do something about that) but other than that, she’s looking healthy, alert, and her normal sassy self once again.

Thank you Wyrop so, so much! Your insightful and compassionate words really helped me keep my head on straight when I was otherwise freaking out. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you

I'm glad to hear Yuki is doing much better!

The sneeze a few times this morning may have been the last stages of the Stridor clearing up - she may have had something in the nostrils too(?)

IF you don't note any more sneezing, then I'd not do anything else.

IF the sneezing becomes noticeable, you hear/see her sneezing frequently, then check to see if her nostrils have any food or debris in them. Also re-check inside the beak for any obstructions, canker or lesions, be sure to look at the roof of the beak too, there's a little slit called a Choanal Slit, sometimes mucous or food can get stuck in that.
Take note of when she sneezes - is she doing something like eating/drinking, is she getting water or feed in her nostrils. Is she dust bathing and digging in the dirt - then sneezes.

Lastly, if the sneezing continues and you don't see any obvious reason why and you notice a bit of mucous or any other symptoms that are concerning, you can use Tylosin to see if that helps.

I think from your description, she's o.k., but I know you will monitor her for several days.

You're Welcome

 

[Big Ska Farm]

I just had my chicken Skylar die. Pretty broken up about it. I can't be sure exactly what of, but she did have vent gleet and the yeast infection was advanced by the time I figure it out. She would "cry" when trying to poop. I was on day five of treating her cloaca when she passed. She stopped crying when pooping. I'd say when eny of our chickens get sick, check the cloaca as a good measure of what might be happening. So glad your bird is better!