rattling and wheezing

[elmwood]

Hi,

Our Sablepoot of approx 20wks, is sounding unwell. She is sitting around, keeping herself to herself, and falling asleep. To be honest for the past two weeks we have had her, she hasn't been particularly energetic. We just thought she was exceptionally laid back.

Anyway, I have wrapped her in towel, holding her close to me, and she has fallen asleep, but I can feel her chest rattling whilst holding her. Also she sounds as though she has a cold or respiratory problem as she appears to be wheezing. Her eyes are clear, no running nostrils, she doesn't have a comb to speak of, but what there is looks ok. Last nights pooh seems fine. She doesn't appear to be either eating or drinking.

When she arrived two weeks ago we wormed all the girls, with Flubenvet. Last week I put a tonic in their water for about 5 days, given the fact she may have been stressed. She is losing some tail feathers too, which I though was stress, which was why I added the tonic to the water. this weekend I have added 20ml per litre of ACV. She seems to have got more lethargic today.

At the moment she is indoors, in a darkened basket, resting.

Any advice would be most welcome, am worried abouit her....thankyou Sharron

 

[elmwood]

Hi,

Well a couple of hours on..... and she is now free ranging in the garden with the other girls. She has been eating some layers pellets mixed with corn, and hasn't sat down yet. She seems brighter and more alert.
Maybe a little rest and some warmth or TLC did her some good. Can't get close enough to hear if she is still rattling/wheezing. Will let her sleep with her sister tonight and check her in the morning.

One slightly worrying thing is whilst she was in the basket, she did a very small pooh, which on closer inspection has blood in it which looks more like intestinal lining- stringy?

 

[snifter]

The poo is normal. Chooks loose that lining from their guts every now and again. Don't fret about it.

She may have some kind of respiritory infection. Might be worth getting her checked over by the vet.

 

[elmwood]

Thanks Snifter, I have taken onboard what you advise and if matters are any worse or the same tomorrow I will get her sorted.

Just done the night time check and lifted her from her perch - placed my ear to her body, couldn't hear a thing, no unusual sounds at all! or from her throat/beak.

What I did forget to mention earlier is I turned her upside down to check her vent area for crawlies- nothing, and all was clean. But she was most uncomfortable in that position, made a sort of yelping sound and she was writhing around. I thought her vent area must be sensitive but there is no redness. I wonder if she had a blockage somewhere in her chest/throat and by doing this it got dislodged?.

Also, yesterday, we sought advice from an experienced poultry lady, because our Pekin had a vey hot, swollen crop. One minute she was wrapped in a towel being nursed and massaged by me, a few hours later was her usual self?? this morning her crop was a normal size, and all was well.

The only thing I can think they had eaten that they have not had before is a birds fat ball, which fell from the feeder, as they seemed to like pecking at it. I have now thrown it away.

Both had been in what the OH has named the "magic" basket, for a few hours of rest, peace & quiet- thinking of climbing in there myself!

 

[podstable]

I love the magic basket idea----we could all do with one of those! Hope she stays better-if not I agree with the need for vet opinion. Ros

 

[elmwood]

Hi,

Our Pekin has started sneezing, another is lethargic, plus the spoot's wheezing is still there, but seems less pronounced. They were given powder antibiotics yesterday, which I am putting in the water, and each one had a vitamin cocktail boost. I will let you know how they are getting on after the 7 days treatment.

Many thanks for all the sound and helpful advice.

 

[elmwood]

Hi,

Just an update on the recovery of our five girls. They all appear to be full of renewed vigour, and happily foraging- thankfully. No sitting & having a crafty 5 min shut-eye, oh no they are on the go from dawn til dusk. Their little legs must be muscle-bound!

Just feel terrible when they announce their egg has been laid, I thank them and then it goes in the waste bin, -such a shame- one more week and then we can start appreciating their little gift.

Thankyou for all advice as always on this forum- my books don't cover half of what is duscussed on here!

 

[dawn]

So glad they're all ok again, they certainly look happy in the photo.