Silkie gurgling - any ideas?

[redfrog11]

Hello everyone,

Last night my silkie started gurgling, and I'm not sure what's wrong. I will take her to the vets but unfortunately the vet is shut for the next few days because of the public holidays and she is unlikely to get an appointment before Thursday/Friday.

Sorry for the terrible video quality but you can hear the gurgling in the last four seconds.

Here is a picture of her and her crop. These photos were taken at 7am this morning before she ate anything.

Summary:
-Silkie, 3.5 years old
-Gurgling sound started last night
-Gurgling sound worse when I pick her
-Crop feels squishy but it is not large. Crop felt the same this morning as it did last night, but again it didn't feel full. I've given her a massage twice just in case.
-Eating and drinking fine
-No nasal discharge or sneezing
-Was a little slow to come out of the coop this morning but when she came out she was acting normally and doing her regular chicken things
-I can't open her mouth and check if there's anything in there (she's keeps shaking her head and makes an awful gurgling sound)
-There is no smell coming from her mouth
-I've been treating her for bumblefoot the past 6 weeks which hasn't gone away yet, but hasn't gotten worse (soaking/wrapping the foot)
-She had scaly leg mites a few years ago but that was successfully treated. Otherwise a very healthy chicken
-Has been laying less this past year but still keeps to a 'laying schedule' (i.e. lays for 3 weeks, goes broody for as long as she can (I kick her out after a few days!) then she takes a few months off before starting again).
-All other chickens are healthy and fine.

Anyone know what this is? I'm thinking either sour crop or the beginning of a respiratory infection? I'm a little perplexed as she is acting totally fine otherwise.

Thank you so much for your help!

 

[SamMiller]

Sounds like some kind of upper respiratory infection. The vet will likely prescribe antibiotics for her that'll clear her up. It might be contagious though, so try and keep her separated for the time being.

 

[Eggcessive]

It could be the beginning of sour crop, if the crop contents are coming back up into the airway. Do not massage a puffy crop, only an impacted or hard crop. Here is an article about crop disorders to read:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

Check her crop first thing in the morning to see if the crop has emptied. If you think a respiratory disease is happening, look at her eyes for any bubbles or foam, for any nasal discharge, and listen for sneezing or coughing, and note any gasping.

 

[redfrog11]

Sounds like some kind of upper respiratory infection. The vet will likely prescribe antibiotics for her that'll clear her up. It might be contagious though, so try and keep her separated for the time being.

Thank you, I'll keep her away from the others until she can get to the vet

 

[redfrog11]

Update: I have been giving her 3ml of nystatin daily for the past 6 days, and now the gurgling sound has gone away She's looking so much better. Thanks everyone for your help.