Sneezing/wheezing/coughing hen

[gateship85]

Hello!
I have a hen that has been sneezing off and on since I got her as a chick a year ago. She sometimes goes through these coughing fits, where it sounds like she has something stuck in her throat. She had one a couple of months ago along with sneezing and a Little bit of clear discharge from her nose but it was not much. I was about to take her to the vet when I read about Grapefruit Seed Extract helping so I tried it and the symptoms cleared up within a day or two.

Now about 2 months later I go out this morning and she is back to making a wheezing something stuck in her throat sound. She is extremely active and drinking well and all of my other hens are acting healthy and showing no symptoms. Any ideas? I will try the GfSE again but I don't want her to continue to have of respiratory (?) ailments off and on again.

One other thing...we have had several big rain storms the last few days and yesterday the temperature dropped (not to freezing or anything but it did get cooler)
Could that have something to do with it?

I have to rehome another bird that has gotten aggressive with my kids but I do not want to risk spreading something to someone else's flock until I know what this is!
Thank you soo much!!

 

[robin416]

Yes, big changes in weather will affect the healthiest flocks. I've had it happen to me several times. Once the weather moderates they all go back to being just fine.

I'm wondering if your girl doesn't also have allergies. Isn't that a hoot? If they're seasonal or when she's spent extra time in a new spot. Or if its happening not long after cleaning the coop, then my guess is she's very sensitive to the air around her.

 

[gateship85]

Oops! I should have done this with the last post! sorry!
1) What type of bird , age and weight.- Americana, 1 year old, normal (? not sure exactly she looks a bit thinner than her sisters but not sickly thin).

2) What is the behavior, exactly.- Wheezing, kind of a "I've got something stuck in my throat" cough, a little sneezing but little to no discharge.

3) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.- No

4) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.- Not sure, may have been because of rainstorms and temperature drop caused by them. But has been an on again off again kind of thing since she was a chick. Could it be a growth in her throat? maybe?

5) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.- Layer's crumble and probably some Chick Start and Grow crumble too

6) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.- Normal

7) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?- Added 3 drops of Grapefruit Seed extract to water container (just did that and have not had time to see if it helps)

8 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet? - I would like to treat myself but am willing to go to vet if that seems like the best idea.
9) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help. - sorry no picture but can get one if it is needed.

10) Describe the housing/bedding in use- straw and dirt. Cleaned about 4 days ago time for there weekly cleaning in another two days- but run and nesting boxes look and smell clean still.

Thanks again!

 

[gateship85]

I have also wondered that about allergies! because she doesn't ever act "sick" but kind of like my mother and brother when they have their allergy attacks- but I thought that was a just plan silly thought. I am glad to hear that it might be that!

Thanks!

 

[robin416]

If the rest of the living breathing organisms on this planet can have allergies I don't really think its too much of a stretch to think a chicken can't have them.

Benadryl is safe for them. If she gets really fired up again try giving her a couple of drops of children's Benadryl. Of course that will probably make her sleepy but if it stops then you have your answer.

 

[gateship85]

Good thought! My friend's dog has allergies and she uses Benadryl for her! it just makes sense that the same could go for my chicken! Thanks for the idea!