Wheezing and coughing hen

[momma chickie]

I have an older hen that has been wheezing and coughing for over several years (don't judge, I was dealing with my parents back to back in hospice till they post passed). Other then, she is active, eats well, good body weight and no other symptoms ( had she acted ill I would have done something). None of the other hens have this...not gapeworm because from reading she would have declined and gotten sick. My husband is not working and the increase cost of living makes a vet visit prohibitive...she appears happy and healthy, running around the yard, catching bugs, running after blueberries, and dust bathing. Her feathers are fluffy, body is robust (she has always had a saggy crop, not sure if it cause these symptoms), eyes are bright, no discharge from the nose either. She is 9 ½ years old, lays about 4 eggs a month...Any ideas?

 

[SunnySid3Up]

I would put her in a warm tub of water with epsom salt to help clear up her lungs, if she is still wheezing bring her around some steam to help clear it up.This is what I would do with any of my chickens, but it interests me that it has been happening for years. I would offer her electrolytes in her water, and clean out her coop, to get rid of debris, or anything that may worsen her condition. The egg production dosent suprise me due to her senior age.

Have these symptoms worsened over the years? You also did mention a saggy crop, I would recommend stopping at tractor supply and getting some chicken grit to give to her

 

[Anon112]

Wow, 9 1/2?!

I mean, she might just be a wheezy chicken the way some people are a bit wheezy/asthmatic? One of my roosters is a bit wheezy and has been all his life. He was in for an anesthesia procedure and the vets did mention it afterward. They said they could investigate to see if there was an underlying issue, but that it was unlikely much could actually be done about it, so I declined. It's worse when he is stressed or overheated (he is black, so too much time out in the sun seems to get him a bit). I've found that giving him a drink of cold, fresh water when I notice any wheezing or heavy breathing really helps his breathing settle down.

Sounds like your lady has a great life!

 

[SunnySid3Up]

Wow, 9 1/2?!

I mean, she might just be a wheezy chicken the way some people are a bit wheezy/asthmatic? One of my roosters is a bit wheezy and has been all his life. He was in for an anesthesia procedure and the vets did mention it afterward. They said they could investigate to see if there was an underlying issue, but that it was unlikely much could actually be done about it, so I declined. It's worse when he is stressed or overheated (he is black, so too much time out in the sun seems to get him a bit). I've found that giving him a drink of cold, fresh water when I notice any wheezing or heavy breathing really helps his breathing settle down.

Sounds like your lady has a great life!

true she might just be wheezy, but I just went down every single possible rabbit hole about wheezing chicken and that’s what I found lol!

 

[Anon112]

true she might just be wheezy, but I just went down every single possible rabbit hole about wheezing chicken and that’s what I found lol!

I think you're definitely right that reviewing the environment is a good idea. The wheezy chicken might just be the most sensitive to an environmental issue. I was recently horrified to lift up a part of the ceiling of a little structure in my run and find that there was mold on the underside of the ceiling.

And a nice Epsom salt soak won't hurt!

 

[SunnySid3Up]

I think you're definitely right that reviewing the environment is a good idea. The wheezy chicken might just be the most sensitive to an environmental issue. I was recently horrified to lift up a part of the ceiling of a little structure in my run and find that there was mold on the underside of the ceiling.

And a nice Epsom salt soak won't hurt!

Oh jeez, well I hope you were able to get it cleared up!

 

[momma chickie]

I would put her in a warm tub of water with epsom salt to help clear up her lungs, if she is still wheezing bring her around some steam to help clear it up.This is what I would do with any of my chickens, but it interests me that it has been happening for years. I would offer her electrolytes in her water, and clean out her coop, to get rid of debris, or anything that may worsen her condition. The egg production dosent suprise me due to her senior age.

Have these symptoms worsened over the years? You also did mention a saggy crop, I would recommend stopping at tractor supply and getting some chicken grit to give to her

Egg production is impressive...her lungs sound clear, not congested. I have had chickens and have never experienced this. She sounds like little barking dog. She gets grit, crushed eggshells, fresh organic produce...we joked that she had asthma but chickens don't get asthma.
Wonder if it is allergy related since she is the only hen that has this.
Just curious if anyone else has an otherwise healthy hen with these symptoms.

 

[momma chickie]

I think you're definitely right that reviewing the environment is a good idea. The wheezy chicken might just be the most sensitive to an environmental issue. I was recently horrified to lift up a part of the ceiling of a little structure in my run and find that there was mold on the underside of the ceiling.

And a nice Epsom salt soak won't hurt!

At 9½ years old, I think putting her to soak would really stress her. I had stick tight fleas and had to dip everyone when she was much younger...she really fought the whole process and I am afraid that it would be worse for her without any real known benefits.

 

[SunnySid3Up]

Egg production is impressive...her lungs sound clear, not congested. I have had chickens and have never experienced this. She sounds like little barking dog. She gets grit, crushed eggshells, fresh organic produce...we joked that she had asthma but chickens don't get asthma.
Wonder if it is allergy related since she is the only hen that has this.
Just curious if anyone else has an otherwise healthy hen with these symptoms.

I have had a hen with those symptoms she is about 9 aswell, but we do the epsom salt with her twice a month and it helps alot! She hasnt had respiratory issues for a while since we started doing it

 

[momma chickie]

I think you're definitely right that reviewing the environment is a good idea. The wheezy chicken might just be the most sensitive to an environmental issue. I was recently horrified to lift up a part of the ceiling of a little structure in my run and find that there was mold on the underside of the ceiling.

And a nice Epsom salt soak won't hurt!

We have clean tin roofs...the yard is dirt, not much I can do about that. No pesticides are used in our yard...I realize at her age she is doing good to be active and otherwise hearty...just feel bad hearing her purr and bark all day...but when the treats come out she will run like wind!