Squeaking hen/labored breathing

FleaP

In the Brooder
Jul 8, 2025
8
15
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I have a hen that is opening her mouth to breathe and squeaking, any ideas what this might be? She's about 19 weeks old. I am sure if maybe she's first egg-bound or something else have no clue. Also she has this mass on her nose not sure if this could be causing her labored breathing too. Help please.
 

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I have a hen that is opening her mouth to breathe and squeaking, any ideas what this might be? She's about 19 weeks old. I am sure if maybe she's first egg-bound or something else have no clue. Also she has this mass on her nose not sure if this could be causing her labored breathing too. Help please.
Is there any way you can get a video of her? Upload to Youtube and provide a link or use the BYC Gallery and let us know to look there.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-upload-videos-to-the-gallery.1631126/

Is she able to eat/drink? I'd make water available to her, if you have electrolytes those would be good.

It's hard to know, she may be experiencing Stridor. This is when some food/debris and/or mucous is inhaled and causes some wheezing type noises. Usually this will resolve on its own within a day.

Take a look to see if she has any lesions, mucous or canker inside the beak.

Have you ever had respiratory illness within your flock or have you added new birds recently?
 
Is there any way you can get a video of her? Upload to Youtube and provide a link or use the BYC Gallery and let us know to look there.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-upload-videos-to-the-gallery.1631126/

Is she able to eat/drink? I'd make water available to her, if you have electrolytes those would be good.

It's hard to know, she may be experiencing Stridor. This is when some food/debris and/or mucous is inhaled and causes some wheezing type noises. Usually this will resolve on its own within a day.

Take a look to see if she has any lesions, mucous or canker inside the beak.

Have you ever had respiratory illness within your flock or have you added new birds recently?
No canker other than the one on the outside of her beak. (picture below)
No lesions inside the mouth. Not sure about respiratory issues. I posted something last week on my rooster swollen face and you responded that it looked like a bee sting. The swelling is almost gone and it did have a small spot on it so I kinda do think it was a sting. No other respiratory issues with him. Not added any no birds to the flock.
Here is the video of my hen breathing funny.
 
No canker other than the one on the outside of her beak. (picture below)
No lesions inside the mouth. Not sure about respiratory issues. I posted something last week on my rooster swollen face and you responded that it looked like a bee sting. The swelling is almost gone and it did have a small spot on it so I kinda do think it was a sting. No other respiratory issues with him. Not added any no birds to the flock.
Here is the video of my hen breathing funny.
20250908_122142.jpg
 
Sweet girl:hugs

It does sound like Stridor, is she improving at all?



The place on her beak may be a scab from sticking the beak through fencing or cut on a feeder. Possibly a Papilloma.
Keep watch on that, if she develops more of those on her wattles/comb/face, then Fowl Pox most likely.
 

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