Is there something wrong with my chicken?

[gabbychickens4]

Hey everyone! I just need to ask something about my hen, who is a 4 1/2 year old Light Brahma hen. She is plump, as brahmas are. When she sits down, you can see her body moving up and down, because she is breathing. ( Is that supposed to happen?) You can also see her beak open and close just slightly when she breathes. Hope nothing is wrong with her. If there is, how can I help her? Thanks for the answers

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

They shouldn't be heaving to breathe, however some chickens do breath heavier than others. Is it really warm or hot today? This will cause chickens to open their beaks and pant, or breath with a slightly open beak. If it is hot, you will want to add fans, ice to their water, feed cool treats, hose their shade down, even ice packs can help keep them cool.

If it is not all that warm today, then it is possible she has an infection going on, she could be egg bound or some heart condition. You might post this in our emergency section for more input on this....https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures

I hope she is going to be ok.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

X2 on the link provided by Two Crows. Hope she gets better!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! TwoCrows gave you the link to the Emergencies forum, X3 many birds will pant in the hot weather, especially if they are heavy breeds.

 

[gabbychickens4]

Quote:
thanks so much for the suggestions! light brahmas are a large heavy breed of chickens. today was okay-hot, since I live in SF and she is more adapted to cold weather. she is fine now though

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to BYC. I'm on the heavy side too and I can testify that the warm weather makes me breathe hard too. For me anything above mid 70's is HOT. Is she the only Brahma you have?

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you decided to join our flock. The first chickens that I ever had (about 50 years ago) were Light Brahmas. They are great cold weather chickens, but they do tend to suffer in hot weather. I'm glad your Brahma is doing better. Good luck with her.

 

[sumi]

Welcome to BYC

Glad you joined us! I'm glad to hear your hen is better. If the weather is hot put a pan of water in the run for her to cool her feet in, or, if you can, let the hosepipe run in there for a minute now and then so they scratch in the mud.That will help her a bit.

 

[gander007]