Young hen making weird noises

[shannybell]

My young Easter egg hen, not sure of her exact age, but she is not yet laying, has started making this weird noise when she breathes. No other symptoms of a cold or respiratory problem like running nose or eyes, just this wheezing sound. Every once in a while she will also make a sound like she's startled and shake her head like she's sneezing but I really don't think it's a sneeze. I have taken her out of the coop and put her in the barn stall with my Easter egg hen with the hurt/broken leg and they are getting along just fine.

Here are links to two short videos, hopefully you can hear what she's doing...

Any ideas as to what this might be?

 

[TwoCrows]

Sounds like the bird is having difficulty breathing. If I were you, I would get her started on antibiotics. Either there is something blocking the air passage that she may have inhaled or she has an infection. If you have some Duramycin around, it might not hurt to run them thru her for 10-14 days and see if it clears up.

 

[Sandiwool]

I had a Brabanter that had similar symptoms but her noise was a higher pitched noise that happened even when she slept. No other symtoms of infection with her either. She would, every so often, cough, like something was stuck in her throat and if you would pick her up, she would get easily distressed. I started treating her with antibiotics but she died two days later in my arms, gasping for air. It was horrible. I never figured it out but I assume she aspirated a seed or something and when she would breathe, it would occlude her airway and that's why, under stress, it would become more prominant. I hope this is not the case for you because there is not alot you can do for that. I would try the antibiotics,as it is really your only option, along with possibly trying to de-worm in case there are gapeworms in her (from what I've read, that is also a possibility). I am new at this so that's all I have to offer is my lilmited experience and one really sad story. I wish you the best.

 

[shannybell]

Thank you both for your input! I am happy to report that as of tonight, she is not making the noise when she breathes. Hopefully if it was a blockage, it has cleared on it's own now. I plan to keep her in with my broken leg hen for a while since they they have quickly become good company for each other

Sandiwool, I am so so sorry about your loss. That must have been really sad to deal with. I get way too attached to my pets too...

 

[vnovember]

My Ameraucana (easter-egg) hen just started making that noise yesterday, and this morning she is making it even louder and sort of clucking into it. I don't know what is wrong with her, and because your ameraucana is making the same noise, I thought I would ask if you ever figured out what happened with her and if she was okay.
Thanks

 

[shannybell]

Looking back now, I don't think it was a blockage. The weather had just started getting hot and she was stressed being moved to a new place, so I think it was just a breathing issue that made her wheeze. I can't remember if I gave her antibiotics or not,,,seems like it stopped on it's own pretty quickly once she realized she was safe at my house too. She is doing fine today! I'm sorry I wasn't any more help.

I will add that if your hen is showing any other signs of a cold along with making this noise, such as sneezing, bubbly eyes, or runny nose, I would isolate her from the rest of your flock and start her on some antibiotics. Good luck!