My Hen around 5 years old is breathing heavy. im worried

[D from Quincy]

Hi Hope someone can help. My Hen around 5 years old is breathing heavy. If she has something in her air passage how can I clean out

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you get a video of her?

Upload video to youtube or similar platform and provide a link.

Not a lot to go on.
Any other symptoms?
When was her last egg?

Do a basic check to see that her crop is emptying overnight, that she has no lice/mites, feel her abdomen for bloat of fluid, look inside her beak for any obstruction/mucous/yellow or white pasty material.

Have you ever had respiratory disease in your flock before?

 

[D from Quincy]

Can you get a video of her?

Upload video to youtube or similar platform and provide a link.

Not a lot to go on.
Any other symptoms?
When was her last egg?

Do a basic check to see that her crop is emptying overnight, that she has no lice/mites, feel her abdomen for bloat of fluid, look inside her beak for any obstruction/mucous/yellow or white pasty material.

Have you ever had respiratory disease in your flock before?

 

[D from Quincy]

Hi, Her abdomen is hard and bloated. I have 2 hens. My other hen started laying a couple of weeks ago. I dont use artificial light. I thought she was just slowing down due to her age and the other one always layed more than she did. Is ther anything I can do to help her. I am beside myself. I love my girls. Her name is Mugsy. Thank You for your help. Really appreciate any guidance

 

[D from Quincy]

Hi, Her abdomen is hard and bloated. I have 2 hens. My other hen started laying a couple of weeks ago. I dont use artificial light. I thought she was just slowing down due to her age and the other one always layed more than she did. Is ther anything I can do to help her. I am beside myself. I love my girls. Her name is Mugsy. Thank You for your help. Really appreciate any guidance

The last time she laid an egg was around christmas

 

[D from Quincy]

i zipped the vidio attached

 

[D from Quincy]

He Abdomen is hard and bloated

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm unable to view the videos but from your description is sounds like your hen may be suffering from a reproductive disorder or organ failure and has some fluid in the abdomen as well.

If you have vet care, that is always best, but sometimes that's not an option.

If there's fluid in the abdomen (a symptom called Ascites) sometimes this can be drained to give the hen temporary relief. Draining the fluid is not a cure and is part of supportive care for an ailing hen. Sometimes draining the fluid can also have it's drawbacks, a hen can get infection from the needle stick, if fluid is drained to quickly or too much then it could send her into organ failure as well.

You will want to keep her hydrated, giving electrolytes after draining if that the course you decide to take. See that her crop is emptying overnight as well.

 

[D from Quincy]

I would like to thank all that replied. I took my hen, Muggsy, to the emergency animal hospital today and with a Broken Heart I had her euthanized and then I buried her in my back yard. As mentioned above the abdominal fluid could have been drained but it would have returned. I almost got it drained but realized she was suffering and bringing her home alive was not the best choice for her. My poor girl. I Truly loved her.

I need some more guidance. I had only two chicks now I have one, Peggy. She has always had the other with her. I could tell she was looking for the other when I got home. Terribly sad. My question is do I give her some time before I get two more hens. I know that too will stress her out but I'm not sure which is worse. Being by herself and missing her mate or stressing out over intruders.

Looking for Advice

Its only she and I here at my home. We are both Terribly Sad

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry to hear about Mugsy.

I would let Peggy adjust to Mugsy being gone, then begin searching for a couple of pullets to introduce to her.