One of my 19 week old blue Ameraucana pullets came down the ramp this morning with expiratory stridor and inspiratory wheezing (the wheezing isn't apparent except up close). Her crop is empty, her nostrils are clear and dry, her eyes are clear and bright. She does seem a little subdued but that could just be because I grabbed her up and brought her into the house to separate her from the others and keep an eye on her. She is breathing at a rate of 28/min with a closed beak but with more effort than normal. She is not particularly distressed. She is not sneezing or shaking her head or gaping. Her poo looks normal. Her comb is its normal mid pink colour. I don't think she will be ready to lay for awhile yet. The coop is very well ventilated and not stinky although the bedding has been building up (I've been adding shavings as it's hard to access it to clean it this time of year). The rest of the flock has always exhibited the occasional sneeze but no they show no signs of discharge or illness.
I wonder if she has a partial blockage of her airway - maybe a piece of straw or something? But a chicken's airway is so small I can't think of any way to clear it that wouldn't hurt the chicken.
Or might this be the beginning of a respiratory infection? I really hesitate to take a shotgun approach to medication...
Any ideas?
I wonder if she has a partial blockage of her airway - maybe a piece of straw or something? But a chicken's airway is so small I can't think of any way to clear it that wouldn't hurt the chicken.
Or might this be the beginning of a respiratory infection? I really hesitate to take a shotgun approach to medication...
Any ideas?
