Suddenly wheezing, labored breathing!

[myhensanme]

My favorite cochin hen is suddenly wheezing this morning. Her mouth is slightly open with labored breathing. I gave her some bread, she ate just fine, but it didn't stop the wheezing. She is a new mommy with 13 chicks and all was fine last night. I put new wood chips in their nest box yesterday, maybe she ate a piece? What should I do?

 

[SpringChickens]

I hope that's all it is! Be careful with respiratory stuff... chickens don't get just a cold. Does she have a runny nose/eyes?

 

[myhensanme]

I've been waiting all day to hear from my backyard chicken friends..... Finally someone! Thank you for responding, no she doesn't have a runny nose or eyes. She looks good, eating good, etc. just the wheeze. It is actually less noisy right now. I gave her well-cooked oatmeal today and bread soaked in milk this evening. I'll see what tomorrow brings. Again, thank you for your concern!

 

[jossanne]

So how's your hen? Looking through this forum for info on a week-old chick who is wheezing, and your hen sounds like my chick...

 

[myhensanme]

My "Sweetie" died suddenly last week. Her 13 chicks are just fine. While she was with the chicks I never saw her eat herself....always calling the chicks to the food. I did see her eat a wood chip. I noticed one day her crop seemed large, but thought she had just eaten alot. I believe she died from eating foreign material, that's all I can think of. All my other chickens are healthy. Although I have many hens, she was so dear to me....... it's difficult to get over her! Thank you for caring!

 

[myhensanme]

Sweetie is my avatar. I took the picture when she laid her first egg, July 4th 2008. We were so proud!

 

[jossanne]

I'm so sorry you lost sweetie! My favorite hen was Snowball, the one in my avatar. I lost her this year too, to a dog.

I sure wish I knew what was causing the wheezing in my chick. It's eating, drinking and running around like the rest, but she squeaks when she breathes.

Glad your chicks are doing well!

 

[myhensanme]

Your Snowball was a Polish, right? I have 3 of them, mine are so skidish, won't let me pick them up. I posted lots of pics on BYC breeds page. The wheezing sounds like an obstruction maybe? Keep me posted on what happens, ok?

 

[jossanne]

Yep, she was a Polish. She got to be very tame and friendly when she lived in the house while recovering from having her head picked bloody and bald. She loved to perch on my shoulder and watch my play on BYC.

My other Polish never have been as friendly, but they're not overly skittish either.

I'll keep you updated on the squeaky baby. My daughter has christened it Kermit, because its beak is green.

Thanks for your concern for my baby!

 

[myhensanme]

That pic is so cute! With the feathered feet it looks like a Silke.