Lethargic, wheezing chicken here!! Please help with advice, I'm so worried...

[amytr1014]

It started Monday evening. One of my ameraucana hens was making wheezing noises when she breathed in and out. It was quite loud, the other hens were pecking at her. Her face and comb were very red and she seemed like she was struggling to breath. We put her in our guest bathroom in a large kennel and we could hear her wheezing, poor baby. Tuesday she sounded better. She eats and drinks. I've been giving her yogurt, oatmeal, electrolytes, bread, apple sauce and her layer feed. She still acts normal, just more slow and she tires easy. Tonight my husband help me administer vet rx which freaked her out. She seemed like she was getting better, but the wheezing came back and now it's like how she was Monday night. She seemed to almost go limp and she closed her eyes. I feel like we are gonna lose her. Shes got clear eyes. She sneezes more now and there's a little discharge but nothing crazy. My flock is experiencing and outbreak of fowl pox, but it's clearing up in all of them for the most part, it's also very hot here. I don't know what to make of this.

 

[GitaBooks]

It sounds like heat stroke. If she is over-heating, dip her in cool (not cold) water to prevent brain damage: http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/04/beat-heat-helping-chickens-survive-high.html

It could also be the fowl pox getting in her throat making it difficult to breath.

It could be another viral disease that causes respiratory problems in the flock. Do get back to me if it isn't just the heat and I'll try to help you figure out what the problem is.

I hope they all get better soon. Best of luck!

 

[amytr1014]

She's been in our house since Monday night and I thought she was getting better bUT this morning she did not want to eat or drink. It sounds respiratory because she was sneezing a lo. She was also very lethargic, and her wheezing has gotten more loud.

 

[GitaBooks]

It sounds like an emergency. You can try getting her to the vet (avian, wildlife, or livestock vet) for tests or you could try getting her on antibiotics. Keep her separated from the others and try to get her to eat food with vitamins in it so she can stay strong, fruit, worms, anything. Keep her hydrated as much as possible.

 

[amytr1014]

I just got off work and found her dead. It started Monday and dead on thursday. She had no other symptoms besides the wheezing. Now another chicken has yellow pus in her eye and she's moving slow. We are gonna go ahead and cull her because she's acting sick. I'm so sad!

 

[GitaBooks]

I'm sorry to hear that.

If you have other chickens, I would try treating them for respiratory problems and giving them vitamins as much as possible.