Wheezing sickness or strained voice?

[ChickenClaw03]

Hi,
I noticed this morning that one of my hens sounds a bit strange. Her voice is deeper and more muffled than usual, however she is behaving normally (eating, drinking, foraging). I’ve given her some vitamins and electrolytes in case she is unwell, but I’m not sure that’s what’s wrong with her.

Yesterday she got chased by a wild bird and she called out for me to rescue her (she’s only a very small bantam). She had no injuries, but she panicked and got stuck behind a fence causing more distress.

I was wondering if she might have strained her voice after the incident as none of the other chickens are making sounds the way she is. What do you guys think is going on?

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Hi,
I noticed this morning that one of my hens sounds a bit strange. Her voice is deeper and more muffled than usual, however she is behaving normally (eating, drinking, foraging). I’ve given her some vitamins and electrolytes in case she is unwell, but I’m not sure that’s what’s wrong with her.

Yesterday she got chased by a wild bird and she called out for me to rescue her (she’s only a very small bantam). She had no injuries, but she panicked and got stuck behind a fence causing more distress.

I was wondering if she might have strained her voice after the incident as none of the other chickens are making sounds the way she is. What do you guys think is going on?

She could have a piece of something long stuck in her throat. If she's healthy otherwise I would'nt worry about it. If she starts acting lethargic or has foul breath that's when I'd be concerned. Just keep an eye on her.

 

[ChickenClaw03]

She could have a piece of something long stuck in her throat. If she's healthy otherwise I would'nt worry about it. If she starts acting lethargic or has foul breath that's when I'd be concerned. Just keep an eye on her.

Thanks,
I’ll be keeping a close eye on her today and will try again to look in her throat.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Thanks,
I’ll be keeping a close eye on her today and will try again to look in her throat.

If you dont see anything and youre still concerned you could swab the back of her throat with a qtip. If it comes out with worms it's gapeworm. But more than likely she just ate something too big. Happens more often then not

 

[casportpony]

Hi,
I noticed this morning that one of my hens sounds a bit strange. Her voice is deeper and more muffled than usual, however she is behaving normally (eating, drinking, foraging). I’ve given her some vitamins and electrolytes in case she is unwell, but I’m not sure that’s what’s wrong with her.

Yesterday she got chased by a wild bird and she called out for me to rescue her (she’s only a very small bantam). She had no injuries, but she panicked and got stuck behind a fence causing more distress.

I was wondering if she might have strained her voice after the incident as none of the other chickens are making sounds the way she is. What do you guys think is going on?

Keep an eye on her and watch for signs of respiratory distress.

 

[casportpony]

If you dont see anything and youre still concerned you could swab the back of her throat with a qtip. If it comes out with worms it's gapeworm. But more than likely she just ate something too big. Happens more often then not

Swabbing the back of the throat will tell you nothing, because gapeworms live in the trachea. I would not recommend anyone sticking anything down the trachea as doing so could be dangerous.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Swabbing the back of the throat will tell you nothing, because gapeworms live in the trachea. I would not recommend anyone sticking anything down the trachea as doing so could be dangerous.

Either way gapeworms aren't that common in chickens. At least that's what research on this site has taught me.
How's she doing today? Still a little hoarse?

 

[casportpony]

Either way gapeworms aren't that common in chickens. At least that's what research on this site has taught me.

It's true that they aren't common, but it's also true that swabbing the throat to check for them will tell one nothing. However, one could swab the throat and send a sample off to have it checked for avian respiratory bacteria & viruses.
Poultry respiratory PCR panel.

 

[ChickenClaw03]

Sorry I haven’t replied back earlier, it’s been a bit stressful at the moment.

My hen’s condition worsened and I took her to a specialist avian vet and she stayed there overnight. The vet at this stage isn’t exactly sure what is wrong with her, but said that she could have a respiratory disease.

She’s on oxygen and antibiotics currently with her condition improving slightly. She is also having a blood test and I’m waiting for the results.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Sorry I haven’t replied back earlier, it’s been a bit stressful at the moment.

My hen’s condition worsened and I took her to a specialist avian vet and she stayed there overnight. The vet at this stage isn’t exactly sure what is wrong with her, but said that she could have a respiratory disease.

She’s on oxygen and antibiotics currently with her condition improving slightly. She is also having a blood test and I’m waiting for the results.

So sorry to hear this. Hopefully the vet can give you some answers and prevent the rest of your flock from catching it. At anytime if the condition worsens or does not approve definitely seek the advice of a vet