Young Buff Orphington Stretching Neck and Gasping for Air!

[Krazy4Chicks]

I'm very new to chickens (just started in November, 2013). I've been doing a lot of reading on this site and have learned a lot. I have a young Buff Orphington (about 7-8 months old) that started this gasping for air thing about a week ago (stretching with her neck out and opening her mouth). I also have a Silkie roo that had a cough/sneeze thing going on for the last couple of weeks (and still does). I believe it's an URI. I started treating with Tetroxy on Saturday (so I'm on day #4). Unfortunately, the labored breathing is getting worse. She originally wasn't making any sounds when she'd do this, but now she's making a deep cough sound. Also, it appears that all of the chickens (9 of them) are shaking their heads - not sure what this may mean. I know that I need to finish with the antibiotics (was told 7-14 days), so I don't believe I can use anything else at the same time. Any other suggestions of what I should/can do? It will break my heart to lose her!

 

[morphemass]

Hi, I really don't know enough to comment since I'm new at this chicken thing myself but does this video look anything like her behaviour?

 

[Krazy4Chicks]

Yes, it does look very much like this. But from reading, gapeworm symptoms and URI symptoms can look similiar. I was told by a lady at our feed store (who seems very knowledgeable about chickens) that gapeworm is very uncommon. And since I have others with URI symptoms, that's why we ended up treating with the antibiotic. Unfortunately, the antibiotic doesn't seem to be doing anything for the hen; however, it seems to be helping the roo.

And for anyone else that needs more info:

Our coop is on dirt; the chickens have been let out daily (under my strict supervision because of predators) to free range on grass, bugs, etc. (including red worms and earthworms in the soil). I don't see any worms in their poops, but I haven't yet wormed them. I'm going to be ordering Valbazen, which I will give all of them after I'm done with the antibiotics (I was told that I cannot give worming meds at the same time as the Tetroxy -- not sure if that's true). My brain is on overload with all of this, as I want so much for my little hen to get better. With how she's breathing now, it doesn't look good.

With regard to the Valbazen, do I have to use the Wazine first? With them being so young, I can't imagine them having tapeworms. If they have worms, I want to get rid of ALL of them! And does the Valbazen need to be done as a wash? Or can it be done as just straight Valbazen?

Any help is greatly appreciated!