Wheezing chicken!

[Fox]

Mom emailed and told me she just checked the chickens and it sounds like one of them is wheezing. She noticed it yesterday, but thought that maybe she was just hot. They were all panting. But she also was making a funny sound. Mom told me that she takes a breath and each time it makes that noise. She still seems to be eating but she is going to watch her closer tomorrow to be sure. She was wondering if this is pneumonia and could the other chickens be affected by her? She wanted me to post to you all and ask! The chicken is a Golden Comet, just over a year old. Thanks for any help you can give!

 

[robin416]

I take it you're not there to see first had what is going on?

Has it been very dry there? Is there plowing, mowing, coop cleaning, new paint or wood? All of these and more can cause the problem just like it does with humans.

If you aren't certain I would put them on electrolytes for the time being just because they are panting from the heat.

 

[Fox]

Quote:
I am only about 6 miles away. It had been quite hot, but it has been for many other days as well. They had some land cleared and a paved road put in, but that was finished a couple weeks ago. So I am not sure if it is related to that or not. As far as the coop and yard, that's all normal and nothing changed that I can think of. I will tell Mom we need to get some electrolytes for them. Would we get that at a feed store?

 

[robin416]

Yes, I would keep them on it for about three days, then off. If your heat doesn't break then put them back on it again. Electrolytes and vitamins are a good thing when used in moderation. It sounds like it would not hurt your birds to be on it and it might help the wheezing hen.

In intense heat where they pant they are losing moisture in the their bodies, they become dehydrated and things like the V&E, Pedialyte and unflavored Gator Aid can all be used to help rehydrate and rebalance minerals they lose.

 

[Fox]

Quote:
Thanks so much! I knew some used vitamins overall, but I had not heard about the electrolytes, though you'd thought I would have! Thanks again for your helpfulness!