wheezing/braying hen

[lablover]

Today I noticed that one of my hens has started... making a wheezing sound as she breathes. It's a constant sound and is sometimes accompanied with a squeak/sneeze sound which sounds like a squeaky toy. She's done that for a while though. It's been 105 degress this week, but today it was only in the low to mid 90's. SHe has seemed healthy until now. Weight is fine, and she even started eating when I put her in the coop to try to cool her off. She's a 13 week old EE. As far as I know, none of the other 5 chickens are showing any of her symptoms. She was running around all morning with the flock like normal. No discharge in her nostrils. Poop looked normal. Watery, but the same color as normal firm chicken poop. I do not have any chicken health care supplies, and won't be able to get any until tomorrow.

 

[carladababe]

My Delaware started wheezing like that a couple weeks ago, then it stopped. It's been really hot, for a really long time here in mid-Missouri. She had a bad day, where she seemed to be in mild distress. I picked her up and moved her to the patio, in the shade and ran cool hose water around her feet, she got visibly better. All my chickens love walking around in a grassy pool of cool water, it helps with the heat. I still lost my Delaware. She didn't have any obvious signs of trauma, or infections, no runny eyes/nose. She had lost weight though. I think it was the prolonged hot weather. I do all kinds of things in attempt to help my chickens through the heat short of bringing them into the AC. Some just will not make it. If you have a vet, give a quick call, they may be able to help.

 

[lablover]

Well, this hen has always panted more than the others. She also lays by any bowl of water that I put out.

Now, she is not panting, but the sound is still there every time she breathes. She is drinking a lot, and the sound is not as loud. It is sometimes gone while or after she drinks. She's pecking around with the flock, but sometimes she sits by herself for a few minutes. I did see her go to the feeder to eat. She's also being pecked off of the food by a certain hen, but this has just recently started.

 

[lablover]

Here's a video, and I think that she has gotten worse. She did eat again before going up on the roost, but the sound was present the whole time she swallowed her food. I put her in this brooder cage to protect her from the other hens. They were pecking at her, but now I think that I should separate her to protect the others from catching what she has, if it is indeed something.

 

[leadwolf1]

That poor thing sounds terrible!!! Get some Tylan 50 at Tractor supply asap. It is injectable but you don't need to use it that way. You will need a needle/syringe to draw up the dosage. .25mls for a pullet her age, I would think. You can then put it on bread and feed her the bread. Dosage is for 5 days.

 

[lablover]

I'm no where near a TSC! I talked to the pet store owner where I got her from (they raise chickens) and he just thought that it was the heat. He said that if she wasn't better by the morning, then he would give her antibiotics.(Not sure if he means I'll bring her to him, or he'll give me the stuff... I live a block away from him.) What do you think it is.

 

[leadwolf1]

I don't know but, I don't believe that is the heat. If it is, you should bring her inside to the A/C. I have never heard a chicken make that noise and she is also mouth breathing telling me that it is something to do with her lungs. I would be surprised if it is gone by morning. Hopefully, he will have some strong antibiotics for her.

 

[lablover]

Well... this sucks. She's been in close contact with the rest of the flock all evening. Will they get it?

 

[leadwolf1]

It's very possible. You will just have to keep a close eye on them. How long have you had her?

 

[lablover]

About 2 months.