Young chicken walking funny, mouth-breathing

[brettzim]

I have a little flock of approx. 2 month old chickens who have been mostly free-ranged since they got feathers in. I noticed one of them keeping her (his? looks like she may be turning into a he) mouth open a bit. She's not shaking her head or gasping but she does keep her beak slightly open pretty often and every once in a while takes a deep breath, almost like a yawn. Today I noticed she was walking with what seems like exaggerated steps. She's always been a little more gangly/awkward than the others (hence the assumption she may be a he) but it seemed like she was walking even more like a chicken today than usual (big long steps) and seemed a little more uncoordinated. Also, when I was trying to catch them and she got away and under a tree she immediately sat down, which seemed odd since I had just been trying to catch her. I assume she'd not want to immediately rest.

I'm not sure what to do because we are going out of town for three days starting tomorrow and I have someone who will only be here mornings and nights to put the birds in and out. None of my other young chickens look sick at all. I did just have a coyote sneak up and grab one a couple days ago when I had them out of the pen. (first coyote attack and now all my chickens are stuck in the run until I figure out a solution). I wonder if this one was almost got but escaped? Also, it's been very hot here the last couple weeks. I've given them clean water regularly but once before I had ducks get botulism from drinking bad water. I'm wondering if she may have eaten/drank something bad? I suppose it could be respiratory but it's weird that no one else has symptoms. The only other problem I've had is with my adult hens - a couple have chronic diarrhea and I lost one to it a week back.

Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks and Happy July

 

[brettzim]

Well, after some reading I am concerned that it could be Marek's. I don't know if the chicks were vaccinated against it - they were from the local feed store. I took out the sick one. She feels a lot more pliable/limp than she should when I am holding her. I put her in a cage in the garage to keep her away from the other chicks and somewhere out of the heat. Giving her sulmet (the only antiobiotic I have on hand) and vitamins/electrolytes in her water. Hopefully she gets better and hopefully it's nor Marek's but the symptoms seem to align more than I'd like. Crossing my fingers for a vitamin deficiency.

 

[settingdusk]

Hm, sounds like over heating and dehydration. Its especially bad if your chicken gets coccidiosis or diarrhea problems when its hot. You have plenty of shade? My chickens run around mouth breathing when its above 90 and pant a bit. I give them mud to lay in.

 

[Reurra]

It could be any variety of things, from dehydration to a respiratory infection.

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/common-chicken-illnesses-and-treatments.html