Sick chicken

[stormrobin]

I have an 8 month old brahma hen that sounds gurgly in her chest. And I'm not sure that's quite the right word. No other symptoms. Very active eating and drinking. Could it just be the cold weather? We have been having temperatures as long as 5 degrees.

 

[Care for chicks]

I don't really know anything about this, but a suggestion from me would to be putting something warm in the coop that your chickens can cuddle up to.

 

[ThenNotSoChickenMaster]

When does she do these noises? Is it often?

Eyes clear? No nasal discharge?
It could be a start of a respiratory infection/disease.

Don't know much about that but someone else can pitch in.

Hopefully she gets better.

 

[micstrachan]

Yes, sounds possibly respiratory. Could be one of several types. I hope more help arrives, but in the mean time, supportive care like vitamins and electrolytes, plus possibly a little supplemental warmth might help. Is your coop very well ventilated?

 

[stormrobin]

Clear eyes no nasal discharge. I just noticed last night when she was up on her roost. The coop has air vents at the top and right now just a human door Tinley them in and out. I have quite a bit of straw in there so they can cuddle down into that.

 

[chitownhens]

This hen was also gurgling and sneezing.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/hen-recovers-with-oxine.1211670/

 

[Eggcessive]

I have an 8 month old brahma hen that sounds gurgly in her chest. And I'm not sure that's quite the right word. No other symptoms. Very active eating and drinking. Could it just be the cold weather? We have been having temperatures as long as 5 degrees.

How does her crop feel? If it is full and puffy, the gurgles could be due to a crop problem. If her crop is emptying normally overnight (check it before she has eaten or drunk in early morning when it should be flat and not felt,) she may be developing a respiratory infection. Note any other symptoms, such as sneeze, cough, watery/foamy eyes, nasal drainage, or if she is eating and drinking well.

 

[stormrobin]

How does her crop feel? If it is full and puffy, the gurgles could be due to a crop problem. If her crop is emptying normally overnight (check it before she has eaten or drunk in early morning when it should be flat and not felt,) she may be developing a respiratory infection. Note any other symptoms, such as sneeze, cough, watery/foamy eyes, nasal drainage, or if she is eating and drinking well.

I will check her crop in the morning. See if it's empty. I can only hear it when she gets a little excited about something. Like tonight and last night it was when I touch her and she got a bit agitated. Also tonight she open her mouth like she had something stuck? Or couldn't breath. But just once and she settled back down.

 

[Chullicken]

Like a few posted, make sure she has access to plenty of water with some immune boosters such as Oregano in the water/food. VetRX also has an all natural product to bump up the system and aid in warding off respiratory infections. Once one gets it, if they are not isolated, the whole flock has a very good change of contracting it as well and this is very bad as it can be fatal. Also possible crop issue, plenty of information on here and/or YouTube about this very thing. Keep us updated and good luck with your feather baby.

 

[Eggcessive]

If her crop feels empty in the morning, she may be suffering from a respiratory issue. Mucus can partially block the airway, and make it difficult to breathe as well as making gurgling, wheezy, or noisy sounds. If there are other signs of a respiratory nature, I might consider using Tylan 50 injectable given orally. Dosage is 0.2 ml per pound twice a day for 5 days. You can find that along with syringes at most feed stores in the cattle section.