Marans acting funny...EMERGENCY

[Jaboyd2u]

I have a wheaton marans that is acting like something is in her throat, stuck or something. She is walking around fine but will every few seconds make like a coughing sound while moving her head bac and forth. What should I do?

 

[Kittymomma]

Quote:
I haven't had that here, but it sounds similar to what I've read about gapeworm. There is lots of info. on that if you type it into the search box.

Also some more information might help. How old, what breed, free range or not, bedding, food, how many other chickens...anything else you can think of that might help narrow things down. I believe there is a sticky on the top of this category with a list of questions that will help in diagnosing your girl.

 

[Jaboyd2u]

Also some more information might help. How old, what breed, free range or not, bedding, food, how many other chickens...anything else you can think of that might help narrow things down. I believe there is a sticky on the top of this category with a list of questions that will help in diagnosing your girl.

She is not free range she is in a pen with one other hen. They are both Wheaton Marans about 5 months old. The only thing that is different than normal is my dad put sunflower seeds in there maybe a week ago ( we herad it will help with there feathers) her excrement is not very solid either. The bedding is hay, we just put that in there. She is eatting layer pellets from the feed store along with a scratch feed.​

 

[Kittymomma]

Quote:
She is not free range she is in a pen with one other hen. They are both Wheaton Marans about 5 months old. The only thing that is different than normal is my dad put sunflower seeds in there maybe a week ago ( we herad it will help with there feathers) her excrement is not very solid either. The bedding is hay, we just put that in there. She is eatting layer pellets from the feed store along with a scratch feed.

From what I remember about gapeworm it's more likely if they're free range, though I'd do the swab test anyhow. She may just have a seed hull stuck so check for that when you do the swab test.

I'm really not sure though so hopefully our back and forth will bump your post and get some more knowlegable responses.

Are you using the scratch as a treat or is it a major portion of her diet? I don't think it would cause these symptoms in either case, but it really should just be a treat. Mine (28) only get about 2 cups a day, just enough so they'll all come when I call, greedy little beasts that they are.

 

[Jaboyd2u]

Jaboyd2u wrote:
Also some more information might help. How old, what breed, free range or not, bedding, food, how many other chickens...anything else you can think of that might help narrow things down. I believe there is a sticky on the top of this category with a list of questions that will help in diagnosing your girl.

She is not free range she is in a pen with one other hen. They are both Wheaton Marans about 5 months old. The only thing that is different than normal is my dad put sunflower seeds in there maybe a week ago ( we herad it will help with there feathers) her excrement is not very solid either. The bedding is hay, we just put that in there. She is eatting layer pellets from the feed store along with a scratch feed.

From what I remember about gapeworm it's more likely if they're free range, though I'd do the swab test anyhow. She may just have a seed hull stuck so check for that when you do the swab test.

I'm really not sure though so hopefully our back and forth will bump your post and get some more knowlegable responses.

Are you using the scratch as a treat or is it a major portion of her diet? I don't think it would cause these symptoms in either case, but it really should just be a treat. Mine (28) only get about 2 cups a day, just enough so they'll all come when I call, greedy little beasts that they are.

The scratch feed is just a treat mainly. Her primary diet is the layer pellets. I think that it's a seed too. I will have to wait till in the morning I am going to take her to the vet. She is just too precious not too... Thanks for the info, I will try an keep you posted...​