Lethargy, fast breathing, clicking on inhale.

[Rilig]

So, I got my first chickens a few weeks ago. All for are Australorps somewhere around 13 weeks old and have been great, but these past 2-3 days, one of them (Sheila) started acting a bit anti-social and laying down a lot, getting a little worse each day. This morning, I let them into their run, then went inside. After about a half hour, I can back out to she how Sheila was doing. She was laying at the bottom of the ramp, having probably not moved since she came out. I picked her up with very little response from her and sat her in my lap, looking her over.
Her breathing is fast with a clicking on either the inhale or exhale, I can't tell. There no poo around her vent and no nasal or eye discharge. She is very tired, she even went to bed early the past 2 days.I see no mites or fleas. I haven't see her sneeze or cough, and she's not making much noise, unlike usual.

Anyone have a diagnosis and/or treatment suggestions? For now, I'll let the other chickens into the yard to wander while she tays in the shaded section of the run.

 

[dawg53]

So, I got my first chickens a few weeks ago. All for are Australorps somewhere around 13 weeks old and have been great, but these past 2-3 days, one of them (Sheila) started acting a bit anti-social and laying down a lot, getting a little worse each day. This morning, I let them into their run, then went inside. After about a half hour, I can back out to she how Sheila was doing. She was laying at the bottom of the ramp, having probably not moved since she came out. I picked her up with very little response from her and sat her in my lap, looking her over.
Her breathing is fast with a clicking on either the inhale or exhale, I can't tell. There no poo around her vent and no nasal or eye discharge. She is very tired, she even went to bed early the past 2 days.I see no mites or fleas. I haven't see her sneeze or cough, and she's not making much noise, unlike usual.

Anyone have a diagnosis and/or treatment suggestions? For now, I'll let the other chickens into the yard to wander while she tays in the shaded section of the run.

"Clicking" can possibly be an indicator of a bad heart, or heart valve. I dont know of any treatments for this condition if that's what it is.

 

[Rilig]

The clicking sounds like when one of my pet rats has a cold, like a mucus thing.

 

[dawg53]

The clicking sounds like when one of my pet rats has a cold, like a mucus thing.

Chickens dont get colds, they get a specific disease. If it were a respiratory problem; you'd most likely hear wheezing, rattling, gurgling. There would most likely be other symptoms as well; bubbly eyes, facial swelling, snotty nostrils, head shaking, sometimes gasping.

 

[Rilig]

Well, the problem's solved for now; Sheila just died. How can I keep this from spreading to the rest of my chooks?

 

[dawg53]

Well, the problem's solved for now; Sheila just died. How can I keep this from spreading to the rest of my chooks?

I'm sorry you lost her. If it was a heart or heart valve problem, it's most likely an isolated incident.