Pundamilia
In the Brooder
- Sep 4, 2016
- 17
- 3
- 39
I have just started keeping chickens. This is week two. Most everything going well but one thing is worrying me...three nights ago I looked in on my three girls in the coop. As usual they were snuggled up together in one of the nesting boxes - they don't use the perches in the coop - I think because they are the same height as the nest boxes - but that's not the problems!!! Anyway, one of my girls, a Sopckled Sussex called Florence - seemed happy enough but was breathing through her mouth - panting almost. I left them alone for an hour and looked in again. Same thing. I panicked an called the couple who supplied the hens. They are local and popped round to check out Florence. By this time she was breathing normally but they had a good look at her for me. Nostrils, eyes and throat all clear. Vent fine. Breathing fine. Looking really well. They left and I hoped it was a one off. Next day she was normal. Eating, active, foraging. That night I looked in on her and saw same mouth breathing, not constantly, just now and again. Next day fine. She really looks great, is very active, was wormed a few weeks ago and shows no symptoms when in the run or out in the garden. Her two sisters are great also. Any idea what is causing this strange behaviour? Could it be that she is panting because she is hot, bundled in with her sisters?