neck feathers lost together with weird screeching sounds

[oguzakyuz]

One of my chickens lost most of its neck feathers (video attached). She is also making weird screeching sounds most of the day by extending her neck up in the air and letting out air. It almost looks like she is trying to crow. It sounds like a car brake. Until a few days ago she has been mostly okay and even laying eggs. But she has been acting very poorly recently. Eyes closed most of the time and just staying in a corner. Her poop seems normal. I would greatly appreciate any help in identifying what could be the issue. We don't have vets in the area that know much about chickens ...

 

[PennyM]

That is strange. I'm sorry I can't help but someone should be along to help you soon. I'm going to follow this thread as I would like to know what it could be.

 

[coach723]

She sounds very gurgly to me, and looks like there may be some swelling around the face, she may have a respiratory infection/virus. Have you seen any discharge from the beak, eyes or nares? The bare neck may be from being picked by other birds, they will often pick on a sick or weak bird. Is her crop functioning properly? Empty first thing in the morning, full after eating?
How old is she? I'm no expert at respiratory issues so am going to tag some people that may be able to help more.
@Wyorp Rock , @Eggcessive , @KikisGirls

 

[Eggcessive]

I have only seen suspected infectious bronchitis in my flock before several years ago, but I agree that she may be showing signs of mucus in her throat possibly from a respiratory disease. She is gasping and extending her throat, so I would wonder about IB, mycoplasma (MG,) or others such as ILT. Infectious bronchitis (IB) tends to cause frequent sneezing every few minutes. It is hard to determine whether it is a virus where antibiotics won’t have any effect, or MG, which may respond to Tylan or a tetracycline drug. The only thing fairly easy to buy is Tylan 50 from a feed store, and get some 3 ml syringes and 20 gauge needles. Dosage is 0.3 ml per pound 2-3 times a day for 5 days. Give it orally by removing the needle from the syringe, just into her beak a 1/2 ml at a time and let her swallow. Make sure that she continues to drink liquids, and offer some treats such as egg, tuna, or others.

Also as Coach recommends, check her crop early in the morning when it should be empty, to check for crop problems such as impacted crop or sour crop, which can cause gurgling.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Do you have a rooster?

@Eggcessive types faster than me I agree with her post and suggestions.

 

[oguzakyuz]

Okay, thanks a lot for the responses. I live in Turkey so I am not sure how easy I can find Tylan 50 or its equivalent. But I will try. About the crop, how do I check it? Is it easy to understand by just touching it?

 

[Eggcessive]

The crop is in the right upper chest. During the day when they eat and drink, the crop gradually fills up until they go to sleep. In early morning the crop normally is flat and empty. It it feels full, firm, doughy, or puffy, the crop is not working normally.

Tylan is an antibiotic, and the generic is tylosin. If you are abke to buy antibiotics or get them from a vet you can use that, or other ones, such as tiamulin, oxytetracycline, doxycycline, or enrofloxacin. Those all will treat respiratory diseases caused by mycoplasma and other respiratory bacteria.

Here is a diagram showing the crop: