Hen with some sort a respiratory issue?

[Peytons Poultry]

My goodness there is always something going wrong with these pets! My four year old jersey giant is having breathing issues, I believe. She is sitting down a lot, breathing somewhat through her mouth, and when I pick her up I can sort of hear her breathing(that's not good, is it?). I have also observed her stretching her throat...like when a rooster tries to crow. I think she is trying to clear it. Her poo is normal. What is this and what should I do?

 

[Eggcessive]

Gaping and noisy respirations such as wheezing or rales can be signs of respiratory disease such as MG, infectious bronchitis, coryza, and ILT. Mold in the environment can also cause aspergillosis. Is she new or have you added any new birds recently that might be carriers? Here is a list of those diseases with symptoms: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044 Antibiotics may help symptoms, but will not cure those diseases, and all chickens exposed can be carriers.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Make sure she is living in a clean and dry environment. (Wet conditions result in mold which results in respiratory issues.) Give her un-salted, fresh garlic and unpasteurized apple cider vinegar. Also basil and rosemary help with respiratory problems.

Good luck!

 

[Peytons Poultry]

Thanks!

 

[Irishhenman]

those are signs of gape worm. De-worm her and it should clear up in a few days.

 

[Eggcessive]

Gapeworm can indeed cause gaping, but it is rare, and isn't the only cause. Hot weather, and adjusting the crop can cause it, but most of the time, it is caused by a respiratory disease--especially if there are wheezes or rales. To treat gapeworm, you have to do a longer, larger dose of worming. Fenbendazole or SafeGuard/Panacur 1 ml can be used used for 3 to 5 days in a row (5 is better.) You could also just get a fecal worm test by a vet. Read post 14 in this thread for gapeworm dosing: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/877712/gapeworm-diagnosis

 

[dawg53]

Gapeworm can indeed cause gaping, but it is rare, and isn't the only cause. Hot weather, and adjusting the crop can cause it, but most of the time, it is caused by a respiratory disease--especially if there are wheezes or rales. To treat gapeworm, you have to do a longer, larger dose of worming. Fenbendazole or SafeGuard/Panacur 1 ml can be used used for 3 to 5 days in a row (5 is better.) You could also just get a fecal worm test by a vet. Read post 14 in this thread for gapeworm dosing: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/877712/gapeworm-diagnosis

x2

 

[Mountain Peeps]

If she for some reasons has gapeworm; de-worm her naturally! Give her pumpkin seeds, diatomaceous earth, garlic, nettles, catnip, nasturtium, wormwood and seeds from squash, melon, zucchini and apples.

 

[dawg53]

If she for some reasons has gapeworm; de-worm her naturally! Give her pumpkin seeds, diatomaceous earth, garlic, nettles, catnip, nasturtium, wormwood and seeds from squash, melon, zucchini and apples.

Rest assured, organics will NOT treat gapeworm.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

They sure treated mine at least when my girls had them!!