[dyedinthewool]

Hi,
One of my hens seems to have trouble breathing, she sounds very burbly/rattly.  I don't think she is eating anything as her poo is slightly green.  she not stretching her neck or 'coughing' as if she has something stuck in her throat.  She's in the shade at the moment I've been watching her and she lies down but with in a few seconds is back to standing up as if lying down exasperates the problem.
her comb is dark red were as it was a bright red - presume this is because she's not breathing properly.
 
any on any thoughts as what it could be.
 
OR
 
Would it be kinder to just put her out of her misery

[Roxy]

Sour croup?  Feel her crop, the bit below her throught, where the corn is stored before digesting.  If that feel very hard, or even squishy, tip her over gently,  and gently press on the croup.  If its sour croup, foul green or brown liquid will come out of her mouth.  Or syringe some veg oil into her mouth, and that should have the same effect.  I have had this happen to mine, and lots of grass comes up.  It may help if thats what it is.

[dyedinthewool]

Sour croup?  Feel her crop, the bit below her throught, where the corn is stored before digesting.  If that feel very hard, or even squishy, tip her over gently,  and gently press on the croup.  If its sour croup, foul green or brown liquid will come out of her mouth.  Or syringe some veg oil into her mouth, and that should have the same effect.  I have had this happen to mine, and lots of grass comes up.  It may help if thats what it is.

Felt her crop - yes- squishy but doesn't feel as there is anything in it?
Gave her 6ml of oil (only had virgin olive oil ) is that it or should I still try turning her upside down?
How often do I give her the oil?
 

[chrismahon]

Sounds like a respiratory infection Dyedinthewool. Simple treatment with Baytril would be the answer. Then you need to find out why she contracted it. Can be due to dusty bedding combined with poor ventilation in the coop. Or mould spores on the coop surfaces due to condensation or a leak.


There will be nothing in her crop because she won't feel like eating -breathing will be her main priority.


Turning her upside down to empty her crop carries with it a big risk of suffocation, with the crop contents getting into the airways.