low pitched gurgling noise when breathing

[aculaurel]

My 3 year old Silkie was just moved with one 6 month old Silkie companion to a new coop. I have fresh hay in there, because it's been cold. It's not damp. They've only been in it for 3 days. Before I moved them to the new coop they were indoors in a dog kennel. I noticed a slight gurgle sound then in both chickens, but I thought it was just after they drank. The night before last I put a couple of drops of grapefruit seed extract in 3 cups of water for their water. I read that would be good for a cold. It's a natural antibiotic and antifungal. They seemed to accept it fine. I did see some diarrhea yesterday...not terribly loose...and not today. But today the 3 year old is making a distiinct low pitched gurgling sound when she breathes. I'm going to get the hay out of there and replace it with wood shavings. I don't know what else to do. Thanks for any help.

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. Gurgling may be a sign of respiratory disease such as CRD/MG, infectious bronchitis, coryza, ILT and others. The other signs to look for are watery eyes, sometimes with foam or bubbles, nasal drainage, sneezing, and facial swelling or swelling around an eye. Sometimes with silkies it's hard to see these symptoms with all of the feathers around the face. If you decide you have one of these diseases, they cannot be cured, only symptoms may go away for a time, then come back when the chicken is stressed. The flock all become carriers. Sorry that you are dealing with this. Here is a good link about those diseases: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

 

[jh7192]

I'll help as best I'm able. There are several causes of a gurgling sound associated with breathing in chickens. If these birds are outside and come in contact with wild wrens, sparrows, finches, etc, then Mycoplasma is a real possibility. Mycoplasma is a bacterial disease and can be treated with a drug called tylosin. Tetracycline also works but is less efficacious
Another possibility is avian bronchitis. Bronchitis is a viral disease and there is no treatment.
There may have been a fungus in the hay. If the birds inhaled the fungal spores,they may have a fungal bronchitis. Again, there is no treatment.
If the birds were exposed to dust, it may have irritated their airway and caused mucoid secretions in the trachea and bronchiii.
Likewise, with ammonia. Ammonia will frequently cause ulcers on the corneas too.
Good luck with them.

 

[aculaurel]

Thank you Just Hatched for your answer to my question. I also contacted the women who sold them to me. She has taken the birds and will treat them. She feels certain they will be fine in a couple of days. I do hope so. I have become rather attached to my pretty Silkies. Perhaps they will be carriers of some latent disease. I'll just have to keep my flock super healthy. I can't put them down. I do have a great natural vet to consult with.

I'll post later how this all comes out.