Hen open mouth breathing

[BabeMj]

I have a hen open mouth breathing. It’s not hot out right now it was about 74 during the day but at night now about 63 and her mouth is open while she’s laying in the coop. It did rain a lot not sure if that had anything to do with it. Her energy is great and she eats like usual. Any idea why she is open mouth breathing? Is this heart disease? Allergies?

 

[azygous]

A chicken will breathe with their beak open when they are hot. They do it when they are stressed. They do it when angry. They do it when they receive cuddles and kisses and they are blissed out in ecstasy.

You say she does it when laying in the coop. Do you mean she does it as she is in the nest laying an egg? Or is she lying down in the coop and doing it? If she is otherwise active and behaving normally, I wouldn't place to much significance to it.

 

[BabeMj]

A chicken will breathe with their beak open when they are hot. They do it when they are stressed. They do it when angry. They do it when they receive cuddles and kisses and they are blissed out in ecstasy.

You say she does it when laying in the coop. Do you mean she does it as she is in the nest laying an egg? Or is she lying down in the coop and doing it? If she is otherwise active and behaving normally, I wouldn't place to much significance to it.

She is doing it when laying in the coop. Once she wouldn’t lay down actually she went to bed standing I think her stomach was too bloated? Should we lay off treats and scraps? Is there a vitamin or something we can give to help

 

[azygous]

Grammar is critical when trying to convey the information you want to get across. Laying is the proper word for getting an egg out. Lying is the proper word for reclining as in resting. So I think you mean she is behaving in an unusual manner and lying on the floor instead of roosting.

Not roosting can mean she is injured and can't get up onto the perch. It could mean she's being bullied by the others and sleeps on the floor to avoid the hassle. If she seems heavier than the others, she may be unable to fly up to the perch.

If she has bloating of her abdomen in front of her legs, pushing her legs apart so her stance is wide and she walks like a penguin, that can point to liver disease. She may not feel well if she has liver disease.

Or if she is fat is behind the legs, then it may be she's pre-fatty liver and you might turn it around by withholding treats until she loses some of the fat.