Labored breathing

[micstrachan]

Please let us know how she looks in the morning.

 

[Cragg Klefor]

Glad to hear your little one seems better.
If she were mine, I would check her crop first thing in the morning before food or drink to make sure there is nothing obstructing - make sure it is emptying. Then, check abdomen for bloating/swelling. Cup your hand and feel from between her legs up towards her vent. Do same to some other chickens to compare. Just to be sure she isn't having reproductive issues. Best wishes!

 

[sonjadowns]

Checked on her around 2am and she was peaceful. Checked again at 4 am and unfortunately she has passed. Ugh! I am now so worried about the other hens.

 

[Cragg Klefor]

Checked on her around 2am and she was peaceful. Checked again at 4 am and unfortunately she has passed. Ugh! I am now so worried about the other hens.

I'm so sorry
Are you planning on getting a necropsy performed? Or performing one yourself?
Unfortunately it is impossible to say what exactly was wrong without one.
It is always so difficult when we loose one, all you can really do is try figure out what was wrong and therefore if it was something contagious or that may effect the rest of the flock in any way. Again, I am sorry you lost her.

 

[sonjadowns]

Thank you. This is the first one from my first flock to pass. She was 9 months old. I am researching how to perform a necropsy myself.

 

[Cragg Klefor]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-to-do-your-own-necropsy.72477/

 

[Cragg Klefor]

https://vet.uga.edu/oldvpp/programs/afvet/attachments/how_to_necropsy_a_bird.pdf

 

[rebrascora]

I'm so sorry you lost your girl. Most of us know how hard that is and it happens sooner or later with chickens. You did your best for her so don't feel bad.
It is good that you are considering doing a necropsy and I can assure you that it is not difficult once you get over the emotional upheaval. I put a sock over their head before I start to help distance me from the fact that she was a pet. I usually concentrate on the abdominal cavity unless there is something that indicates I need to look at other areas. It is surprising how often you can figure out a cause even with no medical training. Understanding the anatomy of a chicken helps..... if you have ever processed meat birds of surplus cockerels that will help and perhaps the diagram below will help you understand what should be where...

The first thing that comes to mind in these circumstances is Fatty Liver Haemorrhagic Syndrome which is relatively easy to identify during necropsy because the abdominal cavity will contain fluid or blood and the liver will be weak and break apart when you handle it and have a greasy, greeny yellowish hue instead of a nice deep burgundy colour. It may also have an obvious rupture.
Fatty liver can have a number of causes but diet and genetics play a significant part. Larger breeds like Orpingtons, Sussex etc are more predisposed to it and feeding a whole grain feed adlib or too much scratch or corn or other high carb treats or too much fatty food can also cause it. Birds suffering it will usually have thick fatty deposits on their abdomen, around their vent and encasing many of their organs. The fat around the vent makes it harder to pass an egg and the strain of pushing it through can cause the liver to rupture and leach fluids or blood into the abdominal cavity. It may not be this, but finding her as you did, with respiratory distress and an egg and wanting to drink water readily would all tie in with this.
If you decide to go ahead with a necropsy, don't worry about special tools like a scalpel or anything. I have a small pair of scissors and a sharp kitchen knife and some pruning shears which work just fine. I usually do it outside or in my green house or poly tunnel rather than in the house and work on an old feed bag so that I can wrap the remains up in it and bury, burn or bin depending upon your situation. If you are able, take photos as you go along both of organs in situ and removed and we may be able to help you interpret what you find. Putting your phone/camera in a small plastic bag is a good idea so that you are not handling it with soiled hands.... pulling gloves off and on is a pain to keep taking photos.
Out of curiosity, what do you feed your flock and what breed is she?

 

[sonjadowns]

I'm so sorry you lost your girl. Most of us know how hard that is and it happens sooner or later with chickens. You did your best for her so don't feel bad.
It is good that you are considering doing a necropsy and I can assure you that it is not difficult once you get over the emotional upheaval. I put a sock over their head before I start to help distance me from the fact that she was a pet. I usually concentrate on the abdominal cavity unless there is something that indicates I need to look at other areas. It is surprising how often you can figure out a cause even with no medical training. Understanding the anatomy of a chicken helps..... if you have ever processed meat birds of surplus cockerels that will help and perhaps the diagram below will help you understand what should be where...
View attachment 1658974

The first thing that comes to mind in these circumstances is Fatty Liver Haemorrhagic Syndrome which is relatively easy to identify during necropsy because the abdominal cavity will contain fluid or blood and the liver will be weak and break apart when you handle it and have a greasy, greeny yellowish hue instead of a nice deep burgundy colour. It may also have an obvious rupture.
Fatty liver can have a number of causes but diet and genetics play a significant part. Larger breeds like Orpingtons, Sussex etc are more predisposed to it and feeding a whole grain feed adlib or too much scratch or corn or other high carb treats or too much fatty food can also cause it. Birds suffering it will usually have thick fatty deposits on their abdomen, around their vent and encasing many of their organs. The fat around the vent makes it harder to pass an egg and the strain of pushing it through can cause the liver to rupture and leach fluids or blood into the abdominal cavity. It may not be this, but finding her as you did, with respiratory distress and an egg and wanting to drink water readily would all tie in with this.
If you decide to go ahead with a necropsy, don't worry about special tools like a scalpel or anything. I have a small pair of scissors and a sharp kitchen knife and some pruning shears which work just fine. I usually do it outside or in my green house or poly tunnel rather than in the house and work on an old feed bag so that I can wrap the remains up in it and bury, burn or bin depending upon your situation. If you are able, take photos as you go along both of organs in situ and removed and we may be able to help you interpret what you find. Putting your phone/camera in a small plastic bag is a good idea so that you are not handling it with soiled hands.... pulling gloves off and on is a pain to keep taking photos.
Out of curiosity, what do you feed your flock and what breed is she?

She is a red sex-link. They eat Dumore Organic 16% Layer Pellets. They free-range half of the day usually from around 12pm to 6pm if not more. They get a mixture of mealworms, sunflower seeds, and cracked corn as a nightly treat before going to bed. Occasionally, I will scramble them some eggs with the following herbs: oregano, basil, cilantro, marjoram, and thyme. A few times a.month, they get a little bit of bread, like 4 heels shared amongst 16 chickens and two dogs. They also get vegetable or fruit scraps. Thanks for all the advice!

 

[sonjadowns]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-to-do-your-own-necropsy.72477/

Thank you!