Trouble breathing? :( PLEASE HELP!

[Me&Chooks]

I have a flock of 17 hens (No rooster), they all get along fine, no fights, nothing. The leader of pecking order, Molly, is having trouble breathing. And I have no idea why!?!
She eats and drinks fine, poops fine, comb is red, eyes are clear. Everything seems fine but when shes close you can hear little wheezing noises, which I identified as her breathing.

I avoid picking her up at the moment as she lets out a little gasp, due to her harsh breathing. Last night I thought she was a goner

But shes still alright. Last night I could hear breathing louder, and her wings were spread out a bit like as if she was loosening up.

I really want to know whats wrong with her, shes also quieter and likes to go in the shed and go to sleep on the floor in a sunbathe position. (Shes always been a bit quiet and relaxed but not this quiet)

I have also heard that when a hen is ill they to hide it? So could see be worse than she is showing?

Please someone give me some guidance! I don't want to loose her especially if theres a way I could save her.

 

[jjthink]

Hi Emma - I don't know what's wrong with Molly but I am so sorry about her breathing difficulties - that's one of the most heart wrenching problems.

Others will likely come along who have dealt with this symptom. In the meantime, try to provide everything you can that might help folks help you:

Her age
How long have you had her?
Her diet
Poop condition?
Laying eggs?
Any new introductions to your flock? If so, when?
Describe living conditions? Are you using pine shavings?
When did her breathing condition begin?
It's the weekend of course - weekends and holidays are when our furry and feathered friends get sick

...but if you are able to get her to a vet tomorrow....maybe he/she can bolster her so she doesn't decline further...hopefully this is something that will resolve if she stays hydrated, warm, comfortable and as stress free as possible but if she needs meds to win this maybe they can help sort out which one(s).

I hope Molly will get through this and feel well again

JJ

 

[Me&Chooks]

Shes around 2 years about now.
Ive had her for a year (She was an ex-battery) But has always been the most healthiest hen I have had.
They all eat layered pellets and have nice treats that I have checked on the Internet of what is safe!
Fine normal poop from what I can see

Ah..Well shes never been a good layer..But when she does lay the eggs are HUGE!
Ah we got six new hens last weekend, very small ones (Don't know what breed) They settled in extremely well. And her breathing was bad before that so..
She is free range with no flowers just grass, her shed flooring is straw with seeds in.
I don't know when it started, about 3 weeks, I have let her be thinking maybe its just temporary it was last night that made me post this case.

Thank you for your concern it is appreciated and like you say I hope someone with come up with some advice hugs

And Vets is out of the question :'( We don't have a vet where I live that will even look at a chicken..

Thanks Judy

 

[spook]

She may be having a MG crop up, keep her cool -er warm where ever you are, use Tetracycline if you HAVE TO. Like when you notice that she is losing weight/not eating, pooping, drinking as much. Right now she is telling you she is "ok" but perhaps on that edge between better and worse.
Personally I had a bird with MG, came up with pneumonia and was resistant to Tetracycline, if I had tried her on another antibiotic, perhaps I could have saved her and $91.20 for diagnostics.
Personally I would not buy a "ex-battery" hen, they have innoculations that can leave you in a mess. For example, the ILT or LT shots are a herpes virus that causes sinus' to swell and rupture. Regardless to what others think, it is contagious and will lead to death or culling. (unless its an organic poultry business or private business with less then 4,000 birds (hypotheticly).
Good luck to you, try to avoid antibiotics, they are expensive and guessing which one to use is difficult. The tetracycline is a common one you buy in the feed store.
Remove this bird from the rest of the flock, pet caddy etc, let her have some rest time without keeping up with the rest of the flock.
Good luck!

 

[Judy]

Since she's been sick for 3 weeks or so, and the only symptom is difficulty breathing and/or wheezing, it sounds like you are lucky and it's not an infectious respiratory disease like MG or IB or coryza. So that would leave internal problems like heart defect or failure, tumor, etc. that will hopefully not affect the others. There might be other possibilities, of course. But since a vet is not available, I don't know how you would find out. And I don't know of anything you can do for her. Sorry.