Mouth breathing and can't walk

[sparrowchic]

My 5 month old Andalusian began mouth breathing (no wheezing) about 1.5 weeks ago. Then last week, she started falling over when she tried to walk. Now, she just lays in her cage and wiggles around when she wants to move. She's eating fine and laid her first egg 3 days ago. Someone thought it might be mites. Any ideas??

 

[seminolewind]

Have you gotten any new chickens in the past few months? Or get her?

 

[sparrowchic]

yes. she and an easter egger are 'new'. i got them the first week of december.

 

[seminolewind]

She lays eggs? Wow, usually sick chickens don't lay.
I would be watching the other one too.
It's really hard to know what's wrong. She may have ate something wrong or had an aspiration. She may have heart failure. But I would also be thinking of Marek's. I had some young ones a few years ago that started making this gasping all the time, then couldn't walk.
You may want to send her for a necropsy when she passes away. State run animal disease labs are very reasonable , if not free.

If you want more chickens, it's safer to order day old hatchlings that have been vaccinated for Marek's, or incubate your own and vaccinate. Whether it's Marek's or not. It's more risky to buy a chicken here and a chicken there. I know the temptation is there, it has tempted me too. Please update on her.

 

[sparrowchic]

Thanks! She's been on her back most of the day. It's just pitiful to watch. Fortunately, my original 6 were all vaccinated. Yes, I got these from a member of my chicken group, so I wasn't as concerned since I know several others that have gotten chickens from her. I'll let you know.

 

[seminolewind]

I think you will have to decide when quality of life has come to an end. I'm not sure if a chicken can recover from those symptoms, they are already severe.

 

[sparrowchic]

We put her down today. I couldn't watch it an longer. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Suzie]

I am so sorry that your chicken was so ill... I commend you for your action in ending her life... a selfless act....

Thinking of you

Suzie