Help, my chicken's breathing is creating a rattle noise!!

[AmberT18]

Yesterday, I noticed one of my Hens making a rattle noise with breathing and today I noticed another one making the same noise. They do not appear to be in any distress and are otherwise acting completely normal. They are also eating and drinking normally. Any ideas of what is going on and how to treat? I live in Michigan and we are having a change of seasons currently.

 

[azygous]

It sounds like a respiratory illness. Change of season can be stressful, and stress unleashes this illness if the chickens have ever been exposed to it. It can also be caused by fungus if the spores are floating around in damp air.

The rattling breathing is a sign of congestion. You can alleviate their discomfort and help kill bacteria and fungus by setting up a vaporizer at night in their coop with Oxine in it. It comes in a quart size for under $20. https://www.revivalanimal.com/product/oxine-animal-health-ah?sku=15101-50

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. Respiratory infections can be caused by a number of diseases carried in by wild birds and other chickens. Look for nasal drainage (clear or thick yellow,) bubbles in an eye, gasping, or any swelling around an eye or the face. Mild viruses such as infectious bronchitis, may go away in several weeks. MG or mycoplasma can be mild or serious. It will respond to antibiotics such as Tylan 50 injectable from the feed store. Make sure that your sick chickens are drinking well, and if you see more serious symptoms, try getting the antibiotic. Many give it orally, 1/4 ml 3 times a day for up to 5 days. Here is a good link below to compare your symptoms with infectious bronchitis, MG, coryza, or ILT. Mild infections can be complicated by other secondary diseases.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044