Firstly .... I am new to the forums and small holding also, so my knowledge and experience are limited ... We have recently built up a small flock of chickens for essentially eggs ... After the recent wet and windy weather we noticed one of our light Sussex hens has acquired a slight rattle/rasp almost like she has a cold, she has no discharge or swelling and appears bright and eats and drinks normally... We have quarantined her away from the other hens and have given her poultry spice and apple cider vinegar ... I have read several forums about respiratory problems and it sounds quite scary. I am also not willing to take one sick hen to the vets for a diagnosis or treatment .., but welcome any comments .... Thanks and merry Christmas. !!!
Hi Chrisnut,
Firstly welcome to the TAS.

There's lots of goodly folk on here that are always quick to help whatever the problem.
I've had the problem that you are having - just one henny from a new bunch of POL I had bought in. I had them shut in for a week in a biggish but airy shed but then we had a lovely day so let them out for an airing into the grass pen. The next day wasn't quite so good and we had a shower and I think this little hen just caught a cold. (not a lot of feather cover due to being inside a big warm shed with loads of others)
I didn't notice she was having a problem for several days - young hens seem to make 'funny' chirping noises and I didn't hear her 'rattle'.
Then one morning she was 'rasping' and finding it difficult to breath, stretching her neck and gulping for air, no discharge though, so I brought her in, put her under a heat lamp in a box of straw. She went downhill quite quickly - not eating and only drinking if I insisted and even that made her struggle to breathe. She had got to the stage when I thought I would lose her. I got some antibiotics from the vet and within 24hrs she was drinking on her own accord though she didn't eat for 3 more days. Now she back in with the others and running around as normal.
So don't leave getting the antibiotics - I should have got them a lot earlier.....