I have two hens that, after the initial quarantine, keeping an eye on them, worming, etc. they were released into my small flock. Lately, I have noticed that one of the hens, a year or so old Buff Orpington, will slightly gasp when she breaths, it is not very noticeable, you have to stop and watch her to catch it. This morning I caught her to look her over as general outward appearance, she is bright eyed, her comb is a nice red color, she is eating, drinking and doing normal chicken things. While holding her she really started to gasp. Her comb darkened up noticeably, so I listened to her lungs and I believe I do hear some raspy sounds but she certainly doesn't wish to be fussed with at all. Her vent is very small and dry looking, so I don't think she is laying at all. Her counter part that she came with, a beautiful standard black laced wing Cochin hen, is molting but acting normal. Anyone have any ideas as to what to do? I worm my flock once a month with wazine, keep a clean coop, clean their large yard and rake it every few weeks, they get fresh water each day and their feed is cleaned and they never get anything more than they could eat.
Try putting some Apple Cider Vinegar in their water, but make sure you get it from a poultry supplies shop and not off the supermarket shelf (its different stuff). I just posted some info on this site re ACV, but it bears repeating as it might help your chicken as a general pick-me-up. Apple Cider Vinegar is full of vitamins, minerals and trace elements. It helps to lower the pH level in the stomach, helping digestion and making it a less friendly for harmful pathogens. ACV detoxifies the blood and helps remove mucous from within the body, this is particularly useful since chickens are particularly prone to respiratory problems and ACV can be of benefit in helping birds to clear their airways. Due to the acid content of ACV, it is an antiseptic, so yes it does prevent algae build-up in water containers. As well as killing germs, it is also a mild antibiotic as well, (that is, it contains bacteria that destroy infectious organisms). DO NOT USE IT IN METAL CONTAINERS as the acid content will react with the metal. http://muckycluckers.blogspot.com/
