RIR with beak open most of the time today.

[vaughanfarm]

Hello,

I hate this is my first post, but where else better to ask.

I got 2 RIRs and a Dom this past Friday. The hens have been getting adjusted fairly well. Today however (this afternoon is when I noticed) one of my RIRs has been moving around with her beak open, occasionally it seems like she coughs (not often though). I am new to this whole thing and wondering if there are any suggestions as to cause.

I will say they first thing I read was the cedar shavings was bad, well.......I had cedar shavings in the house, so I quickly went this everning and got some good ol wheat straw and took the cedar out of the house and put the straw in.

Again, I am new to this and if you ask questions to get more information, I will try my hardest to get it to you.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[hinkjc]

Some more info that may be helpful..

How old are the hens?

What are they eating?

Have they ever been wormed?

How are the eyes - bright, signs of cloudiness, drainage??

How are the stools?

Is she eating/drinking well?

Are they in with any other chickens (you may have previously owned)?

Personally, I would monitor now that you have removed the cedar, as it could have irritated her airway. However, think about the answers to those other questions in case she doesn't improve.

 

[lildinkem]

Is it really hot there? When it gets hot here mine will still lay in the sun and pant with their beaks open for hours. IF yours are new to you, they could be still gettin adjusted to you, your environment and weather. IF nothing else looks different, I'd say don't worry and see what happens. Nothing is worse then treating birds with antibiotics when their not sick. That not only does not help your birds but can cause resistant strains of disease that eventually can not be treated with antibiotics.

 

[vaughanfarm]

Thank you both for your reply. Since it is only the one, I will monitor and see how she does. It has been humid the past few days, and we had a couple frog strangler storms last night.

I will post answers to those questions if she gets worse.

I did take notice since they have gone to roost that she does not appear to be doing it now.

Thank you again.

 

[PhlyinPheBee]

If you live where it is hot and she is in a new place she may be panting. That would be normal. my gals pant if it is a HOT day. Today was not one of those days here for us!!!

Glad that yours has quieted down for the night

 

[vaughanfarm]

My hen won't come out of their house this mornig. She is hanging out on her roost. I don't see any kind of discharge coming from her. I am figuring maybe she just doesn't feel good and wants to stay in bed today.

What worries me is her getting water and food.

 

[TXmom]

Not wanting to come down off the roost....I think that's a pretty bad sign. Can you give us more information...including the answers to hinkjc's questions?

One thing to consider...the stress of moving/changing homes, the weather, and other stresses can cause "dormant" diseases to pop up. If the hens have had a respiratory disease in the past, they remain carriers for life and the symptoms can reappear in stressful situations. I have no idea of that's the case with your girls, but it could be.

 

[vaughanfarm]

How old are the hens?
About a year old

What are they eating?
Layer pellets from TSC, also given them some lettuce, tomatos, grapes(seedless), celery(they didn'y like that), baby carrots

Have they ever been wormed?
I can't answer this. I would think yes, but it could be no.....

How are the eyes - bright, signs of cloudiness, drainage??
The eyes seem bright, no drainage that I can see, didn't seem cloudy

How are the stools?
Appear normal (don't see any blood)

Is she eating/drinking well?
She was.....My other RIR is acting as queen of the coup and will sometimes want what she had

Are they in with any other chickens (you may have previously owned)?
These are the first 3 hens I have ever owned. This is a new house and run I built. As stated, I had cedar chips in the house, but after reading, chose to remove it and replace with wheat straw.

 

[vaughanfarm]

As an update - I opened the door to the house and she came off the roost, but has not come out of the house. I have not heard her cough, however she seems to have a gurgle crackely sound to her. I also notice she seems to have some stool leftovers around her rear.

My other 2 hens are out of the roost, seem to be a little more active today than yesterday (not sure if removing the cedar shavings had anything to do with that).

Anyways, I thought I would update.

 

[gjoyner]

My RIR is ALWAYS the first one to pant when its hot. I was scared at first too. But they are just hot. I just leave lots of fresh water around. also, instead of straw (which is fine) use pine shavings..they are SO awesome and are WWAAAAY easier to clean. Even in the book,"Storey's guide to Raising Chickens" he says he prefers pine shavings.
Dont get too scared. When I first got my chickens I freaked about everyhting because I didnt know anything at all. Dont panic! If they are alive, than you are doing a good job!