Mucous-y hen?

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Hi y'all,

I have a hen that is covered with snot, for lack of a better word. It's perfectly clear. She has her beard (EE) all spiky with it, and you can see it coating her beak and tongue. She has her beak open a bit, as if it's hard to breathe. Otherwise, she is running around like normal and doesn't seem like she's lost weight.

What on Earth?

I normally cull at the first sign of respiratory illness, but I'd never seen anything like this before and thought I'd ask before offing her. I've removed her from the flock while we decide what to do with her.

 

[seminolewind]

Did she come in contact with another chicken who may be sick?

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Do you mean, did I introduce new flock members? No, I did not. But before I processed the meaties a few weeks ago, there were over 125 birds of various ages on the property. There's always opportunity for birds to be ill, especially since they are pastured, so they are in contact with wild birds.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Anyone seen this before?