It has been a really stressful week for my flock. I started with 3 that were raised together from chicks- one died about 3 days ago (I believe it was a heart attack... sudden trouble breathing, turned purple, died soon after). My Americauna Iris was best friends with the hen that died. Since then, Iris asserted herself as queen bee (over the one other hen she is with). Last night our neighbor brought us 2 pullets. Iris is making the usual dominant noises and has been pecking the new girls. Tonight though she was acting strange for about a half hour- she started mouth breathing quickly, her wings went droopy, she got lethargic for a spell. It is not hot here- about 65F. She suddenly began this behavior right as we were holding/petting the new girls and putting them in the coop for the evening.
She did also have diarrhea today, which may be because I gave them too much watermelon. She is acting normally now- it is bedtime so she is on her perch breathing regularly. I just don't want to miss a symptom of something serious. I hope she is ok, I can't bear to lose another. Please help!
She did also have diarrhea today, which may be because I gave them too much watermelon. She is acting normally now- it is bedtime so she is on her perch breathing regularly. I just don't want to miss a symptom of something serious. I hope she is ok, I can't bear to lose another. Please help!
