Wheezing 6 MO Americauna Pullet

[Legend17]

Please help! Went out this morning to let my chickens out and one of my Americauna hens, Ivy, came running up to me wheezing in and out with every breath and a sequence of hiccups. Appears to be struggling to breath. When she tries to speak she has a hoarse voice that sounds like a whisper. None of my hens are sick or showing any signs of stress. They all free range, have a premium nice clean coop, and they are very well taken care of. I called my vet who does not treat chickens this morning and he suggested she may have something lodged in her throat. I gave her some olive oil in her mouth to swallow and massaged her throat and crop. Could not see anything down her throat. She wants to eat and keeps following me for treats and is drinking very little. Not sure what to do. My husband is on his way to get vetrx and possible gape worm treatment. I do not think she has gape worm although no matter how clean we keep their coop and field they are constantly eating outside. She does not shake her head, stretch her neck, or looks like she is trying to dislodge anything. Any suggestions, similar experiences, or any help at all would be greatly appreciated. This is one of my favorites, although I love them all, and will be devastated if I lose her. Thanks!

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. It does sound like she may have a piece of food stuck in her airway. They make a sound called stridor when this happens. It usually clears in a few hours. But I would not mess with crop or massage it while she is doing this. I would offer plenty of water or feed mixed with a lot of water. If you can post a video to YouTube with a link here, it would be helpful. Here is one of a hen having stridor (listen about the 40 second mark)

 

[Legend17]

Thank you for the reply! She does sound very similar. I have never heard any of my chickens do this before. I will monitor her and hopefully it will pass. If it does not when I return from teaching my class, I will post a video of her. Thank you!

 

[Legend17]

 

[Legend17]

She is getting worse. The other hens are starting to pick on her and she is red around the eyes and mouth. Still eats and runs. Scratching her face and wiping her beak more than normal.

 

[LittleCheepers]

That poor little sweetheart! I’m sure Eggcessive or others will have some advice for you. Just wanted you to know I’m rooting for her!

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

Oh no! @casportpony !

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

@Eggcessive

 

[Eggcessive]

Where are you located? Does she have mucus coming from her nostrils or her beak? Do you have a feed store close where you can get some Tylan 50injectable and a few syringes with 18 or 20 gauge syringes? Tylan can be given orally, but it has to be drawn up with a needle and syringe.

 

[Eggcessive]

Tylan 50 dosage is 0.25 ml per pound of weight given 3 times a day for 5 days. That can treat mycoplasma (MG.) There are both mycoplasma, bacterial, and viral respiratory diseases. She still doesn’t sound that bead in the video, but with the red colorin, she might be feverish.

You need to separarte her either by bringing her in the house in a dog crate or spare room, or keeping the crate in the coop. You can run some hot water in a bthroom, and make it a little steamy in there.