Sick Chicken...?

[irvingj]

One of our 6-month old chickens has developed a "wheezing" when she breathes; frequently shakes head, occasionally a "chirp" sound. Don't think she's been eating too much, either, but not sure.

It's a silver-laced wyandotte; of our 10 layers, she's the only one like this. We've separated her from the others (in a box indoors) for the time being, and early this AM she was sleeping quietly with no noise, but has now started wheezing again --though not to the extent she was yesterday afternoon/evening. No noticeable eye/nose watering/discharge, in fact she appears to be quite healthy.

I've looked online and in our "chicken library" (LOTS of possibilities, apparently), but do any of you knoweledgeable folks have an idea of what's going on here? --Thanks!

 

[chrisdvorak]

my chickens had it, it is a respiratory infection it can also look like the chickens are sneezing, go to you local farm/livestock store and buy some aureomycin, it comes in powder form and you mix it in their water, if one has it i would treat all of them as it can quickly be spread through your whole flock.

 

[irvingj]

Wow, that was fast, Chris- thanks!

Our wyandotte was much better this AM, in fact so quiet initially I thought perhaps she'd died overnight. Turns out she was just sleeping, quietly. When awake, she sounded "normal" though she did wheeze a bit. Her appetite was back, and she drank a lot of water as well.

Wheezing seemed to stop after a bit, so we put her back in the henhouse with the others. Stool aslo looked normal-- housecat got a bit too curious, scared the hen, who flew out of box (knocking off cover in the process) and flew up onto the dryer. Stool "sample" was conveniently left on the face & top of dryer....

We'll pick up some aureomycin today-- thanks again!

 

[chrisdvorak]

no problem

 

[schmism]

backyard chickens is a GREAT source for all your chicken info.

they even have a sick/injury section that is well staffed.

BackYardChickens Forum

 

[irvingj]

Thanks again-- our wyandotte cleared up this morning, and seems now to be none the worse for wear.... one thought that was put forward was that sometimes chickens will get something stuck in their crop that's a bit too big, and that will cause the wheezing. Perhaps that's what we had. She seems fine now, and was definitely happy to get back with her "sisters" in the henhouse.

Never a dull moment, never stop learning.... I will definitely check out the backyard chickens link- thanks very much, schmism!

 

[jimmyj]

That is my favorite breed of chicken in the whole world! (I know, what losers have a fav kind of chicken...). Respiratory ailments can be sketchy, keep any eye on the flock and if it's really damp for a long time you may see it come back. The treatment is good, I've used Tetracyclene also. Chickens are easy to cure but turkeys are another story...

 

[Patriotic Stabilist]

My chickens are doing the same. I don't think it will go away. One hen was doing that but none of the rest, she doesn't look or act sick, shiny feathers, everything fine. Then they all started doing it.

I bought Duramycin-10, tetracycline, at the feed store and am now giving it in their drinking water and have been for 6 days. They are still doing it some so not sure its helping. They do not act sick in any way. By the way if you are giving them antibiotics DO NOT EAT THEIR EGGS. I'm even waiting about 5 days after I stop it. These chickens are active, happy, scratching like crazy, eating bugs and anything I give them and again still shiny feathers.

If this doesn't clear it up I may take one to the vet to see whats wrong. I've never had a sick chicken before and am concerned about eating their eggs. They are laying all these beautiful eggs daily and I'm throwing them away, how sad. But I only have 5 chickens right now.

 

[irvingj]

Patriotic Stabilist- sorry to hear your birds aren't doing so well. I was going to check on the "don't eat the eggs" thing-- I had heard that, and you seem to concur.

Throughout the day yesterday and again this AM, all seem fine, making their usual "happy hen" noises. I will keep an ear open for the wheezing to return, you can bet!

JimmyJ- I guess, all things considered, I'd have to say my favorites are the buff orpingtons- nice personality. (Spent too much time too many times waiting for "Miss Wyandotte" to make up her mind to go in the henhouse or not!)

Here they are this morning.

 

[Patriotic Stabilist]

They are still doing it, yet I got 4 eggs out of 5 chickens today and 1 was a double yoker. How could they be sick? They are eating good , all the veggie and fruit scraps I give them, bread, and corn, plus eating bugs and stuff. I can't seem to keep them confined to their pen, so they run the yard during the day. I leave the light on at night with a bowl of water with the antibiotics in it, trying to limit them to it, but not doing well.