Wheezing chicken??

[captain_squirrel]

Hi all - I have a hen that just started wheezing on in and out breaths. Not sure if it is serious at all or if this is normal chicken behavior sometimes.

here is a video of the sound:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1ae5vytaxcyph1y/IMG_1165.MOV?dl=0

Thanks for any insight!!!

 

[Eggcessive]

It may be stridor, a sound that is caused by a small piece of feed, mucus, or swelling of the airway. Sometimes it goes away within a couple of hours if they cough, but sometimes it can be from a respiratory infection, especially if there is also sneezing or snicking. As long as she is able to eat and drink, and is not having labored breathing, it probably is just temporary.

 

[captain_squirrel]

Thanks! I ended up going to get some VetRX and while I was away her breathing definitely improved. I still treated her but she was acting normally again once it seems to have subsided and she only wheezed when she got worked up (like when I let her go after treating her with vetrx or when the whole flock took off to head back into the run).

I’ll keep an eye on her for sure over the next day or two - it was just really scary since I’ve never heard this sound before!!

 

[Eggcessive]

Hopefully, it was just a piece of food in her airway.