Weird hen noises?

[Duckfarmer1]

So, lately my hens, a Saxony and a pekin for sure, but there may be more, are making this high- pitched hep noise. It almost sounds like a hiccup. The one day I noticed it during dinner time, so I figured she needed a drink but didn’t want to miss out on a morsel. . But, now I hear it randomly. These ducks are healthy. I’ve picked them up to listen for any breathing issues, heard/ felt nothing. There’s plenty of ventilation in the barn and I use a mixture of hay and straw for bedding. Cleaned out completely daily. They’ve been able to pond swim the last two weeks because I break the ice. Anyone ever heard this?

 

[FluffTheDuck]

Can you post a video of it?
(Upload to YouTube then post the link here)

 

[Duckfarmer1]

Can you post a video of it?
(Upload to YouTube then post the link here)

How do you upload to utube?

 

[Duckfarmer1]

How do you upload to utube?

Ok, I looked it up, I will try, basically technology challenged.. just figured out how to do the smilies on here

 

[FluffTheDuck]

How do you upload to utube?

First go onto YouTube.com...

Then click your profile picture (if your logged in, if not then make sure and log in)

then click the big red button

Then click your video you want to upload and follow the next steps

 

[FluffTheDuck]

Ok, I looked it up, I will try, basically technology challenged.. just figured out how to do the smilies on here

Okay, haha!

 

[KaleIAm]

That is how I would describe the noise my duck made when she developed aspergillosis last fall. We took her to a vet and treated her for several months but she ended up passing away.

I couldn't hear respiratory noises without a stethoscope until the final month.

Another duck of mine has started making those noises, but less intense. We knew what it was and took her to the vet immediately. We started her on itraconazole and she is responding favorably!! I haven't heard her hiccup/screech for 2 weeks now. She has a check up next weekend. Itraconazole is hard on the liver, so we are doing blood work and they'll listen to her respiratory system.

If you can I would take your ducks to the vet ASAP. If they have what mine have they'll make the noise more and more frequently over several months until they can't breathe and they are distressed. The sooner you treat it the more likely they can recover.

If you can't take them to the vet, I would wait until they are moderately uncomfortable and then put them down. Assuming they have the same thing mine have.

 

[KaleIAm]

I forgot to mention that when they first start making the strange noise it is mostly when eating. As the disease progresses it is all the time, like in the video I posted of Gingersnap.

Our vet explained why, but I don't remember the details very well. Something about the food irritating inflamed tissue.

 

[Kholts]

Hello,

I know the kind of sound you are talking about. I made a thread when my Saxony female started making that noise months ago. You will find a video of my Saxony in the thread and what I successfully treated her with. I am not sure if it is accessible where you are.

Here is the thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...e-duck-is-making.1330419/page-2#post-21721427