Intermittent symptoms, 2yr old hen

[Megber13]

Intermittent wheezing and what appears to be a sneeze. Also slight open beak breathing accompanies symptoms but never appears to be actually labored. (?)...never any discharge, lethargy, or other noticeable symptoms. One of 4 hens, none of the other hens have exhibited any symptoms. They are Easter Eggers, Large Marge is a buff Orpington. They are a suburban backyard flock of 4. Always the same 4...first flock. Mobile tractor coop so they can forage in the backyard but come into the garage overnight and in the winters. Never been vaccinated, dewormed, or any other medical interventions (never had any health issues). Large Marge has not laid an egg in over a year. She was never very consistent and the eggs got weirder until she just stopped laying completely.
None of them ever seemed to really molt either. But Large Marge has had a featherless neck for some time now, in the front only. I wondered if she has an issue that is causing the other hens to peck at that spot (gapeworm??) Or, if they are pecking her in that spot routinely for whatever reason, could that be the cause of her symptoms (are they injuring her throat?) Comb is bright red but seems dry. They eat Nutrena for layers as well as some scratch as offered and oyster shell is also always available.
Anyone know what this could be?

 

[Debbie292d]

Molting usually starts at the head or neck. When chickens pick at other chickens, it's usually the vent area or the back of the neck. Not saying that's not picking, it's just unusual to be there.

I have one molting, and she's been walking around with her mouth open too, not exhibiting anything else wrong with her. I don't know if that's related to it, but I just wrote it off to that as she never did that before, and none of the others do that.

The intermittent wheezing though is concerning. I think I'd put them all on a vitamin regiment every other day for a couple of weeks. I use Poultry Cell or Nutra-Drench in their water. Nutra-Drench blends better so mostly that one. If she's got something going on in her respiratory system, the vitamins would help her fight it and you'll be able to tell if she's getting better or worse. If worse, she might need an antibiotic.

Gapeworm is very rare, so I'd think of that as the very last resort.

 

[Eggcessive]

Do you have any pictures of her feather loss? Are there any pin feathers growing in? I have seen my birds pull out feathers while hanging out on the roost. Are the tail feathers missing?