Bad breathing?

[witchontheswitch]

I have a hen who is about 3yrs old and just over the last couple of days her breathing seems really bad. She is with 23 other hens and I can hear her breathing even if the others are making a bit of noise. She sounds almost asthmatic! Her beak opens and shuts as she breaths too. She is otherwise well - nice red comb, lively and very bright. She is reluctant to be caught and due to my bad back I have been unable to chase after her to check her over further. Any ideas what could be wrong or is it vet time?

 

[Marigold]

It could probably be a chest infection of some kind, which will respond well to antibiotics if you can get her to the vet. It could be infectious so maybe you can separate her until she is better? If not possible, do ensure lots of ventilation in the coop at night, leave the pophole open if this is safe, to help keep things airy in there and prevent them breathing each others germs.

 

[witchontheswitch]

All the hens are in a stable with top door open so there is lots of ventilation. I think I am going to take her to vet on Monday. So strange because she is as bright as a button otherwise. Thanks Marigold for your help.

 

[chrismahon]

I agree with Marigold WOTS. It's most probably the start of a chest infection this time of year which, if treated quickly, will respond well to antibiotics. If you have plenty of ventilation make sure the coop isn't damp or dusty. Be particularly aware of black fungal areas resulting from damp which must be treated to kill the fungus completely.

 

[Marigold]

Glad she's still bright and happy, sounds as if you can get to grips with this early. Good sign if shes difficult to catch! Odd how these things always happen at weekends, animal or human, isn't it? Do let us know how she gets on.

 

[witchontheswitch]

My hen seems much better now, although I did not take her to the vet in the end as, when I rang them, they quoted me £30 consultation fee and then the cost of treatment. At the time, she did look like she would not be around the next morning to go to vet anyway so I didn't make appointment, as I felt I would be wasting my money. And, since then she has picked up enormously and her breathing has calmed no end! She is eating and moving around well and I bought something called 'Breath 'n' Thrive' to put into the drinking water to see if that helps. I will let you know how she is doing soon

 

[witchontheswitch]

Lorna is about the same since my last post. Still not breathing properly but is eating and drinking and can run up the paddock with the others when I take them corn. She is coughing too but, I must say, that seems to be better since introducing the 'Breathe n Thrive'. So, I am thinking she definitely has some sort of respiratory problem but one that does not seem to be holding her back at all. Do I just leave her as she is and hope she improves even more or can anyone suggest anything else? Cannot be anything infectious as all the others are fine and Lorna has been like this for 4 weeks now.

 

[chrismahon]

Back to needing a dose of Baytril Witchontheswitch. £30 consultation plus treatment is a rip-off, our vets is £18 and the Baytril is about £3. Hopefully she will pick up without it but it may drag her down to the point of no return come bad weather.

 

[Marigold]

I agree with Chris, also to say that as the days shorten they do spend more and more time cooped up together overnight, so even in a well- ventilated coop there is greater danger of transmission of bacteria even if this hasn't happened so far.