The Poultry Keeper

Isotope · Joined: 02 Oct 2008 Posts: 37 Location: Bedfordshire

I'm going to have trouble describing this well, I just know it Crying or Very sad

One of my new chickens is making what seems, to me, a weird noise. It's like a cross between a cough and a hiss and I don't think I am imagining that she gives a little shake of the head when doing it. I havent' heard her do a normal cluck - like the other one does - since she started this. Other than the noise, she looks well and appears to be acting normally as far as my novice eyes can tell.

Does this sound normal, or like something I should be worried about? I realise it's probably hard to tell from my description but I thought I'd give this a whirl before rushing to find chicken-friendly vets etc. and incurring huge bills on a normal hen Razz

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1402 Location: Manchester

do you have a camera with video function? Maybe you could get a small clip of it.

Isotope · Joined: 02 Oct 2008 Posts: 37 Location: Bedfordshire

Good plan

I'll give that a go, although my experience with animals (and more recently a baby) is that as soon as you point the camera at them they refuse to do anything interesting at all.

CP · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 10:05 am Post subject:

It may be a respiratory infection of some sort. Try putting a slightly crushed clove of garlic in their water. Do you have ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar) as well?
We use Respite as the first line of defence which essentially contains garlic, if the smell is anything to go by!
Have they been wormed recently? Confused

Isotope · Joined: 02 Oct 2008 Posts: 37 Location: Bedfordshire

mojo · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 10:55 am Post subject:

of course she may be a he trying to crow that sounds odd to start with

Isotope · Joined: 02 Oct 2008 Posts: 37 Location: Bedfordshire

EGirl · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 1238 Location: Dublin, Ireland

She may have some gapeworm in her throat, Verm-x doesn't really take care of this. You might want to get some flubenvet and dose them all, just in case?

Isotope · Joined: 02 Oct 2008 Posts: 37 Location: Bedfordshire

Clover · Joined: 30 Jul 2008 Posts: 33

Oh My Goodness, this post is so spooky, I've logged in to make a post asking for help and you've beat me to it!!

I went out today and my white polish hen is doing EXACTLY the same thing, Shocked

its so weird.

At first I stood and listened and it sort of sounded like strange hic-cups but then its kind of a squeek and small wheeze when she breathes, like yours she seems ok and is eating ok, she is making some very funny noises.

I've checked on them this evening and her breathing doesn't seem normal at all, the post about the worm sounds awful. none of my other hens are affected at all.

Do I need to get the medicines described from the vets or is it over the counter pet shop?

Stujan · Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Posts: 433 Location: East Sussex

Hi Clover , are you using hay or straw? to bed them down . If you are using hay there is a possibility that fungal spores are making chests rattle a touch, you can solve this by making sure any hay outside the house is kept damp and remove any hay from the house and replace with straw.
Believe it or not hens react to honey the same as we do so a teaspoon full per pint in thier water would do them no harm at all and may well sooth a rough throat.

Clover · Joined: 30 Jul 2008 Posts: 33

I'm using mostly sawdust, in the hen house under the perches and scattered in the run if its a bit muddy. The nest boxes have sawdust at the base and barley straw for them to sit on to lay. The sawdust doesn't seem particularly dusty ( I did consider dust and their little lungs).

I've been in the garden most of the day today (due to the lovely weather) and it seems she's ok today and not making quite the same noises as yesterday, still squeeking a little thought. She's never clucked like the others or laid an egg yet, she is bottom of the pecking order and stands on her own a lot. Sometimes she looks 'depressed' standing with her back to the others in the corner of the run as if she is in the dog house!!

I think I'll just keep an eye on her - maybe she's just 'different', she's definitely more timid than the others and a bit of a loner and gets picked on by the others.

EGirl · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 1238 Location: Dublin, Ireland

I would worm them, Clover. She shouldn't be standing alone even if she's bottom of the flock. If a hen looks depressed they are usually under the weather in my limited experience. Flubenvet can be ordered online or from your vet. Try www.pandtpoultry.co.uk .I would remove the sawdust for now and change to dust free woodshavings or chip, in case it's the cause.

Wink

Squidge · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Posts: 244 Location: Folkestone, Kent

One of my hens made that exact sound and it was a cough due to a respiratory infection. I was about to dose them with Tylan anyway because Baytril had not cured the couple of Darth Vaders in the new intake. After I dosed them all her cough disappeared.