Rapid/labored breathing while roosting?

[Stephoney]

Did anyone every diagnose your hen’s issue? I live in PNW myself (Graham) and have a Speckled Sussex with a similar problem.

She’s around 2 years old and is a little slower than the rest of the flock. She’s also the oldest and has one deformed foot which slows her down. At the end of the day, she definitely hangs back while the rest of the flock gets one last run in around the property before retiring for the day.

When I pick her up she breathes really hard and takes a minute to catch her breath. When she sits down to rest she rocks back and forth, breathes hard and sometimes has a slightly open beak (but mostly it stays closed). This has been going on for a few months that I know of. I don’t remember her having the problem last summer. She hasn’t laid an egg since last September when she went through a molt. I worm my flock in the fall and spring and I’ve checked them all to make sure they don’t have any mites or lice. They’re all clear. She doesn’t have any discharge around the nares and her eyes look normal. She otherwise seems healthy- eats, poops, drinks plenty of water, bright red comb. She remains the head hen.

Where I live, there isn’t really anyone that specializes in chicken health. I hesitate to take her to an unqualified vet and cause her more stress. Thought maybe you might have figured out what was going on. Any ideas?

 

[humminbird94]

Was this ever resolved in your hen? I watched your video and my hen just started doing the same thing tonight while roosting. No idea what it could be, hoping you found an answer.

 

[Dianad24]

Was this ever resolved in your hen? I watched your video and my hen just started doing the same thing tonight while roosting. No idea what it could be, hoping you found an answer.

I was wondering the same thing as I have a hen doing the same thing. Anyone figure out what it could be?

 

[Clcatto]

I was wondering the same thing as I have a hen doing the same thing. Anyone figure out what it could be?

Very likely she’s fighting a respiratory infection. Usually they can fight it off if they’re in good health, but I will sometimes give my girls an antibiotic course (or take them to the chicken vet). I find it happens more often in the spring as the weather’s changing. Keep an eye out for reduced appetite or standing off on their own/not engaging. Make sure they have clean fresh water, and you could give them some rooster booster poultry cell. Vet RX on the beak/nares to help the breathing (it’s like Vicks vaporub).