Sick chicken, started with feather loss, then a bad wheezing , some coughing and sneezing

[F54soccer]

Help! My girl started loosing feathers last week. She is about 1 1/2 years old. Thought she might be molting, but my other 2 girls are fine. I was also able to hear her breathing when I got close. Over a few days it got worse. I had increased her protein in her diet. Giving her yogurt. All trying to build her health up. Then On Sunday, she was wheezing loudly, coughing, and sneezing a bit. I noticed she was struggling to get up one time. I panicked! I picked her up, (she is very under weight, no meat at all) and I put her in a cage in the house to keep her from dealing with the heat outside. I started her on Duramycin 10 hoping it was a respiratory illness, but she isn't getting better. Still wheezing, lethargic, which isn't normal, my girls are free range and act like jail birds when caged. Eating and drinking some. I am wondering if is gape worm or something else. Please help if you have any ideas. Otherwise I think she is a gonner. :,-(
Thanks, Terri

 

[F54soccer]

Oh, I forgot, all my girls have been off their laying for the last few weeks. I have not gotten more than 2 eggs a day.

 

[redsoxs]

Wow! I'm stumped! I would have suggested what you have tried and it sure does sound respiratory. Hope someone comes on who has experienced this. Good luck!

 

[4-H chicken mom]

Not all birds will molt at the same time so she could be molting because of the stress she is under, but do check for mites/lice to be sure. Being under weight, I would say maybe worms. Being in a weaken state my have caused the respiratory issue. Duramycin is what I would be doing. Do check for gape worm as well. Some vitamins and electrolytes could help also along with some boiled eggs and meal worms. Good luck

 

[F54soccer]

I did a q tip check for gape worms and got none. She really isn't gaping, so I don't think that is it, but I will worm all my girls when Bea is healthy again. My girl Bea is getting better, only wheezed today when stressed. Her feet feathers are growing back, which I think is a good sign. She has been on Duramycin for 5 days. I am not sure how long to have her on antibiotics. I will try to find a thread with recommendations. Thanks to all you chicken lovers for your help!!
Terri