Squeaking hen/labored breathing

[FleaP]

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.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

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?

 

[FleaP]

Here is a video of her honking and open mouth breathing.

 

[FleaP]

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.

 

[FleaP]

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.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Sweet girl

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.

 

[FleaP]

Sweet girl

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.

Thank you for asking. I put her isolation last night so not to stress her out from the roosting battles. This morning she has not started wheezing so I pray it was just a stridol. She does have another scab looking thing on her toe. And one of my other girls has a small one on her comb on the top edge. I sure hope it's not Fowl pox. If so what do I do for that?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you for asking. I put her isolation last night so not to stress her out from the roosting battles. This morning she has not started wheezing so I pray it was just a stridol. She does have another scab looking thing on her toe. And one of my other girls has a small one on her comb on the top edge. I sure hope it's not Fowl pox. If so what do I do for that?

I hope she's continued to do o.k. today.

Do you have a photo of her toe and the other girl's comb?

Sometimes chickens can get small cuts/injuries and scabs will appear and heal up fairly quickly.

Just monitor the scabs/places, post photos of anything concerning here on your thread and I'll be happy to take a look or even tag in a few folks if I'm unsure.

Fowl Pox is a virus mainly caused by Mosquito bites. It's pretty common and most of the time presents with tan lesions on the combs/wattles that turn into scabs (like Pox). Dry Form of Fowl Pox (scabs) will usually run its course over several weeks. Once the birds had healed up and recovered, they have resistance. There is a more concerning form of Fowl Pox, called Wet Form, this usually presents with the scabs, but they often cover the eyes and are found inside the beak. Birds can and do recover from this form too, but they may need assistance eating/drinking if the eyes are scabbed over (they aren't able to see food/water). Sometimes an antibiotic may be needed to help with secondary infections, but Dry Form is more commonly seen.

I've had Fowl Pox many times over the years, my birds didn't even seem to be bothered by it. It did take a few weeks for the lesions/scabs to fall off, but they did just fine. Of course, I kept close watch on them.