Hen making honking sounds on exhale

[PaintedMeadows]

She is a 7 month old dark brahma hen. She has been laying for 1 1/2 months. Weighs about 6lbs, eating layer crumble with oyster shell on the side as well as treats of brocolli, lettuce, apples and cereal like rice krispies. This morning she started making this honking sound when she was exhaling. I can feel a little lump right up near her throat which the other chickens don't have. No discharge from the nose, eyes are clear. She is eating and drinking and is energetic. Color is good. She was fine yesterday and I saw her in the laying box this morning and I am pretty sure she laid an egg. Any ideas? I hope I answered everything I should.

 

[annmarie]

I hope someone answers you because I noticed the same thing a little with my BR last night. It's very quiet, and she's not showing any other signs of a problem so I was going to give it 24 hours to see if it's still happening. I'm guessing that she's a little stuffed up perhaps, but maybe it's nothing serious since she seems fine in every other way, I hope!

 

[PaintedMeadows]

Jasmine is quite loud with the honking. She seems ticked with it. I did notice that the honking is quieter when her head is down than when it is up. She isn't stretching her neck out either. I hope she is OK because she is my daughter's special girl and my daughter at 8 has already lost both of her horses (one to colic and one to a head injury) and her dog disappeared and one of her other chickens died. Can't lose this one!

 

[PaintedMeadows]

OK. After observing Jasmine some more I think she is in pain. She seems to be sort of whining. I don't think it is breathing related at all since she stopped for a while this afternoon. She was fine and perky but then she tried to jump out of the bathtub I think and it has started up again. Can I give her something for pain? Oh should I just leave her? She is such a wonderful and sweet chicken and is definitely a no cull until all other avenues have been exhausted. Not that we don't cull but this is a special case. HELP!! For my daughter.

 

[nicelittlehens]

The lump you found might be unrelated or a symptom of some kind of respiratory disease. I had two of my hens make a honking sound when they exhaled. After I picked them up after a short chase, they were having labored breathing. I treated them for respiratory disease with antibodies and in two days they were fine. Most of the time chickens are very acceptable to respiratory diseases. I dont know for a fact if this is indeed the case but it worked for me.

 

[PaintedMeadows]

Do you mean antibiotics? If so then what did you use? I have some in the fridge that I got for my filly. I will have to see what it is but I gave it sub-q. I also have metacam but not sure how much to give.

 

[nicelittlehens]

Hi ,I( am sorry for getting back so late, to answer your questions yes I did mean antibiotics, I don’t remember the name of what I gave , there are several kinds but You can get them at tractor supply, or order them from Jeffers pet supply. Make sure you get a wide spectrum one I gave my hen’s two tablespoons of powder mix in 5 gallons of water. Let me know how it worked out if im not too late