Multiple hens wheezing

[CrazyChickenDude]

So about 5 of our hens are wheezing pretty bad. Some are doing the "sick stance" while others are just coughing. We live on the Gulf Coast, and the pollen is really bad. It has been fairly dry too. Here's the thing, all of our hens are laying eggs, so I am confused. Any ideas?

 

[SurferchickinSB]

So about 5 of our hens are wheezing pretty bad. Some are doing the "sick stance" while others are just coughing. We live on the Gulf Coast, and the pollen is really bad. It has been fairly dry too. Here's the thing, all of our hens are laying eggs, so I am confused. Any ideas?

Sounds like they have a respiratory virus. I guess you will know if they all start doing it. That happened to my flock one time and they all started laying funny looking eggs, some were wrinkled and some were misshapen. I guess in times of stress the virus can appear again, but so far mine have returned to being healthy and laying normal eggs. I just would not add any of my chickens to a different flock and if I do add any, the new ones will most likely get it too. Hopefully you will not lose any of them.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I think @Eggcessive and @Wyorp Rock could shed some light on this.

 

[Eggcessive]

Are there any other symptoms, such as watery/bubbly eye, nasal drainage, sneezing or cough? Have you added any new chickens to your flock recently? It is hard to know without testing, but it may be a respiratory disease such as MG, infectious bronchitis, coryza, ORT, or ILT. Here is a good link with common symptoms of diseases:
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044
Make sure that you have good coop ventilation, and keep things clean, dry, and limit dust. Certain antibiotics can help treat symptoms of MG or coryza, but they are hard to get without a vet.

 

[VictoriaTemple]

What is their poop like? My flock has had issues with mycoplasma in the past, which causes wheezing. Their poop turns bright green, sometimes with yellow urates, sometimes with clear, but never the typical white. My rooster had it bad, his crop was so irritated he could hardly swallow. I gave him low-dose aspirin for the pain and inflammation and fed him soft, easy to process food with high nutritional value (bread and barley fodder). He is mostly recovered and has rejoined the flock, though his poop still isn’t quite right.

 

[CrazyChickenDude]

Are there any other symptoms, such as watery/bubbly eye, nasal drainage, sneezing or cough? Have you added any new chickens to your flock recently? It is hard to know without testing, but it may be a respiratory disease such as MG, infectious bronchitis, coryza, ORT, or ILT. Here is a good link with common symptoms of diseases:
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044
Make sure that you have good coop ventilation, and keep things clean, dry, and limit dust. Certain antibiotics can help treat symptoms of MG or coryza, but they are hard to get without a vet.

All of the above, including chicks. Now about 70% of the flock has it, but we're still getting normal eggs. Ventilation is good, but we're 6 inches below normal rainfall, so the pollen is creating a haze. Could excessive pollen be a factor?

 

[CrazyChickenDude]

What is their poop like? My flock has had issues with mycoplasma in the past, which causes wheezing. Their poop turns bright green, sometimes with yellow urates, sometimes with clear, but never the typical white. My rooster had it bad, his crop was so irritated he could hardly swallow. I gave him low-dose aspirin for the pain and inflammation and fed him soft, easy to process food with high nutritional value (bread and barley fodder). He is mostly recovered and has rejoined the flock, though his poop still isn’t quite right.

Their poop is fairly liquid, as it's already hot and they're drinking lots of water. No green, normal coloration, just difficulty breathing with some lethargy in there.

 

[Eggcessive]

You might try to contact your local vet for antibiotics to treat MG. Denagard may be found online to put into the water if you cannot get tylosin or others.

 

[CrazyChickenDude]

You might try to contact your local vet for antibiotics to treat MG. Denagard may be found online to put into the water if you cannot get tylosin or others.

Do you know if this is lethal? Main reason I'm asking is because I have a bantam Easter Egger hen who means the world to me. She has it, and is lethargic. It looks like they have MG for sure.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

So about 5 of our hens are wheezing pretty bad. Some are doing the "sick stance" while others are just coughing. We live on the Gulf Coast, and the pollen is really bad. It has been fairly dry too. Here's the thing, all of our hens are laying eggs, so I am confused. Any ideas?

All of the above, including chicks. Now about 70% of the flock has it, but we're still getting normal eggs. Ventilation is good, but we're 6 inches below normal rainfall, so the pollen is creating a haze. Could excessive pollen be a factor?

Do you know if this is lethal? Main reason I'm asking is because I have a bantam Easter Egger hen who means the world to me. She has it, and is lethargic. It looks like they have MG for sure.

Can't say how lethal it is...there's always a possibility that a chicken can die from respiratory disease (or 1000s of other things).
Treating symptoms is about all you can do.
IF it's Mycoplasma, then an antibiotic can help with symptoms chickens will still be carriers and can relapse during times of stress.

As mentioned above - you can try your vet to see if they have anything you can use to start treatment ASAP, if not, then you will need to order medication online which may take longer or may not be available. Antibiotics are hard to find, so if you can find it is stock, then usually it's best to get it.

Denagard (Tiamulin), Tylan (Tylosin) or Tetracycline/Oxy/Doxy can be used for Mycoplasma.

In the meantime...post some photos of the hens, their poop too.
Try to keep them hydrated, provide good ventilation and encourage them to eat.