Possible choking!!

[HealeyHomestead]

So I’m going to start with a little back story, in my original flock I had 2 bantams and 2 Sussex hens and 1 roo. He was becoming aggressive and going after the girls so I integrated two laced girls. (One ended up getting hit by a car) All was fine, then. Against my better judgment, I introduced 2 new girls late in the fall. BIG mistake. The pecking order became out of control which caused one laced girl to die (she got pecked so bad and e had such a drop in temps, she passed away), then one of my new girls legs started to go lame and I had to bring her into the garage and pen her until she warmed up and got her strength back. Now, one of my original girls is extremely sick. She’s been on the rocks for a week and a half but there were some days she seemed better (she’d stop isolating and come out of the house, she was foraging, etc.) now, she’s in really rough shape. My best guess from doing research is that she is choking. She is VERY lethargic, open mouth breathing, gasping, and randomly freaks out and panics but can’t fly or stand. I tried massaging her and putting a couple of drops of olive oil in her mouth as well as water and she won’t swallow any of it. I can’t see a blockage in her throat but it’s killing me to see her this way she’s wrapped in a blanket, still breathing but barely hanging on. Someone please help!!!

 

[HealeyHomestead]

And I should also add that all of the girls seem to be losing weight, they always have food, water and I buy scratch for them to forage in the run as well as treat cakes, meal worms, etc. this is my first winter flock, am I doing something wrong?

 

[Eggcessive]

It is possible that one of the new additions brought something contagious into your flock. Respiratory diseases and Mareks disease could be possible. Reproductive and crop issues are also common. Getting a necropsy one who dies is a good way to know if a contagious disease is present. There are a number of respiratory diseases that include viruses, bacterial ones, and aspergillosis from mold. Most respiratory diseases can make carriers of the survivors and the whole flock. Sorry that you are having such problems. I would close the flock to new birds until all of those pass away or are culled. Here is a list of state poultry vets where you can call about getting a necropsy:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

 

[Wyorp Rock]

What does her crop feel like? Is it emptying overnight?

 

[Aapomp831]

I would be worried about worms if they are eating but not gaining any weight.

 

[HealeyHomestead]

Thanks for all the responses!
So I’ve been feeding her droplets of honey water and she seems to be taking them ok. I’m going to treat her for a respiratory infection and keep her quarantined from the flock until she (hopefully) recovers. I’m also going to pick up some de-wormer and treat the flock accordingly!

 

[HealeyHomestead]

What does her crop feel like? Is it emptying overnight?

Her crop feels fine and she has pooped since she’s been in there (normal stool)

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks for all the responses!
So I’ve been feeding her droplets of honey water and she seems to be taking them ok. I’m going to treat her for a respiratory infection and keep her quarantined from the flock until she (hopefully) recovers. I’m also going to pick up some de-wormer and treat the flock accordingly!

What antibiotic and de-wormer are you going to use?

 

[Eggcessive]

Have you seen any bubbles or foam in the eyes, swelling of the eyelids or face, nasal drainage, crackles when breathing, or sneezing. Gasping is common in any respiratory disease. Symptoms can help to determine if you seeing a virus, or a bacterial infection. Viruses will have to run their course over time, and only a bacterial disease will respond to antibiotics. Infectious bronchitis, mycoplasma, coryza, and ILT are some common respiratory diseases. ILT is severe and can cause blood tinged mucus. Here is a good list of common diseases and symptoms to compare with what you are seeing:
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

 

[HealeyHomestead]

Have you seen any bubbles or foam in the eyes, swelling of the eyelids or face, nasal drainage, crackles when breathing, or sneezing. Gasping is common in any respiratory disease. Symptoms can help to determine if you seeing a virus, or a bacterial infection. Viruses will have to run their course over time, and only a bacterial disease will respond to antibiotics. Infectious bronchitis, mycoplasma, coryza, and ILT are some common respiratory diseases. ILT is severe and can cause blood tinged mucus. Here is a good list of common diseases and symptoms to compare with what you are seeing:
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

Thanks so much for the info!!! There hasn’t been any discharge anywhere and eyes have been mostly shut but are not watery, cloudy or swollen when open. She pooped and there wasn’t any sign of worms in it.