Hen making a really strange sound- like a crying baby- any thoughts?

[Kellabelle]

Hey everyone. This morning I noticed one of my hens making a really strange sound, almost like a crying baby. Is that what wheezing sounds like? It's constant, which makes me think it's associated with her breathing. She didn't come out to eat and drink with the others this morning, but she did go into one of the nesting boxes for a while. I could only stay out for a bit, because it is super cold here, but I have gone out to check a couple of times and she is always making that sound. Could it be a respiratory virus or illness? If so, is there any treatment? Does she need to be isolated, or is it best to keep her with the rest of the flock?

Any thoughts or suggestions would be much appreciated!

 

[scratch'n'peck]

You might want to bring her in the garage and put her in a kennel or box to observe her symptoms. I'm not sure about the crying baby sound but here is a link on chicken diseases: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044 so you can assess her symptoms and another helpful link on treatments: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/517234/medical-treatments-recommended-by-bycers#post_6580204

If you scroll down to the part about respiratory illness there are two antibiotics that are commonly given that are in many farm stores.

 

[myfinefeatheredfriends]

Yes I would definitely bring her in. Some chickens get that way from the cold. Sometimes it gets so cold it gets hard for them to breathe. If we can't stand it, imagine how they feel. Bring her in and if she continues to breathe like that, look into respiratory ailments.

 

[Kellabelle]

It's definitely her breathing. I couldn't bring her inside because she would have kept the whole house awake, so we put her in a kennel and covered it with a blanket and tarp, and put a space heater nearby. When I went to check on her this morning her breathing sounds a lot quieter but she wont eat or drink. Should I just wait it out and let her come to the food & water when she feels like it or should I try to gently force a little liquid with a syringe?

 

[scratch'n'peck]

If there are any treats you know that she likes, offer those to her just to see if she has any appetite. If she is not drinking at all that is the greatest concern. You can first see if just gently dipping her beak in water will encourage her to drink. If she is not eating or drinking at all then she probably is ill. If you decide to use Tylan or Duramycin antibiotic, they do come in injectable forms at many farm stores.