Morganna Seems A Bit Under The Weather

[shadegrow]

Well back in January we got 6 ex-batts as we've mentioned before and apart from a couple of broken nails alls gone pretty well. Today however while the girls where having a free-range we noticed one girl, Morganna, seem hoarse/wheezy in her noises.
There's no discharge from her beak or nostrils, she's a clean bottom and apart from this wheezing she seems fine, peaking, scratching and eating with her usual vim and vigour. We're just curious if anyone else's birds have had anything similar and is it anything to worry about, and of course we'll be keeping an eye on her.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Blimey! I thought you were talking about Allotment Lady!

[MaureenHall]

Blimey! I thought you were talking about Allotment Lady!

That was my first thought too

Regarding the wheezing though, what kind of bedding are you using? If it's wood shavings that's not dust-extracted that can cause respiratory problems

[zazen999]

So did I....phew....

[HayleyB]

Chooks are prone to dust causing breathing problems, it may be the bedding you are using........

[shadegrow]

Yes they are on shavings with straw in the nest boxes. The shavings are the baled stuff & certified clear of metal or chemicals but no mention of being dust free. Is their any reasonable alternative to shavings?

[Flummery]

I use Easibed. Sort of ground up wood. It's for horse bedding but I'm glad I don't need 6 bales a week to fill a stable!

[Hilary B]

If changing to dust-free bedding doesn't completely solve the problem, try Olbas oil or Vicks Vaporub. You need to shut her in a box (cardboard is good) for 10 mins or so and provide a source of steam, 'flavoured' with one of the above (or similar) products. The tricky part is usually getting the bowl of hot water inside the box, but out of reach of the hen.... It really does help if the breathing probs are a concern in their own right (as well as, or instead of, because they are a symptom of something serious).

[dozey1]

breathing

Hi i have 4 ex bats and Betty had wheezing problems 2, i changed to easi bed dust free shavings and have no problems now.. Hope this helps..