Yet ANOTHER sick chicken! Gah!

[TJAnonymous]

The last two girls have recovered... Went two weeks and now I've got another hen down. She is less than a year old - Blue Birchen Maran.

Yesterday she was making a weird hiccup squeaking. This morning she seemed a little lethargic and not eating. I went out to the coop this evening to worm everyone again (it's been 10 days) and check for mites. Found her sounding VERY croupy. Not good! Let me clarify that she was NOT treated for worms 10 days ago. I had a handful of hens I couldn't get to because of where they were roosting. She was one of those... I DID treat her with Safeguard this evening. Any other suggestions? I also put Nutri-Drench in her water.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Bump.... Anyone?

 

[TJAnonymous]

Still looking for help... @Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive

Can either of you help? Maybe take a look at the video and give me your thoughts?

I checked her over this morning. No mites. No eye or nose discharge. She's not laying but I'm pretty sure she hasn't even started yet. Her crop feels full so I know she is eating.

Whenever I try to give her medicine, she starts sneezing like crazy and stretches her neck out. Breathing sounds even more labored. I'm also pretty sure she has a fever. She feels really warm.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Btw, in case you ask... I gave the hen some amoxicillan yesterday evening (1 capsule made into a suspension). Today I switched to minocycline (1 capsule made into a suspension) since it might work better against pneumonia or respiratory disease.

 

[LaFleche]

Chickens generally have a high body temperature (~40-41°C) that would show fever if it were us.

Did you check her mouth and throat closely? Something might have got stuck which sometimes happen and leads to this kind of breathing noises.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Chickens generally have a high body temperature that would show fever if it were us.

Did you check her mouth and throat closely? Something might have got stuck which sometimes happen and leads to theis kind of breathing noises.

I did look in her mouth just to rule out gape worms. Didn't see anything out of the ordinary.

 

[LaFleche]

I did look in her mouth just to rule out gape worms. Didn't see anything out of the ordinary.

To see heavy gape worm infestation use a flash light in a dark room and shine it from the side at her elongated neck. But it is not always possible to see them.

 

[LaFleche]

Yesterday she was making a weird hiccup squeaking.

She might have gotten some food down the wrong pipe. This is something I see sometimes when lower ranking hens try to stuff themselves in a hurry.

As you are already treating her for worms and with antibiotics, there is nothing more you can do at this moment. If it is a virus, you might brew some tea to help them along:
Thyme, sage, oregano and aniseeds, letting it steep for at least two hours before serving instead of water.

 

[TJAnonymous]

To see heavy gape worm infestation use a flash light in a dark room and shine it from the side at her elongated neck. But it is not always possible to see them.

I treated her with Safeguard last night. If she had gape worms, I'm assuming that would kill them?

Given that I've had other chickens with similar symptoms that recovered, I'm worried about Infectious Bronchitis or pneumonia. I don't really know how to tell and I don't have a vet to take her to... I DO have a poultry vet who will give me his best opinion through pictures and video. I suppose I should just ask him but I don't want to over extend his willingness to help....

 

[Kiki]

I treated her with Safeguard last night. If she had gape worms, I'm assuming that would kill them?

Given that I've had other chickens with similar symptoms that recovered, I'm worried about Infectious Bronchitis or pneumonia. I don't really know how to tell and I don't have a vet to take her to... I DO have a poultry vet who will give me his best opinion through pictures and video. I suppose I should just ask him but I don't want to over extend his willingness to help....

Your state lab can do some testing to see which disease your flock is dealing with.
Which state are you in?