gavclojak Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Princess layer has been, for the last week, breathing through her mouth. I thought this might be due to the heat although they have plenty of shade. It tends to be more noticeable when she is just sitting chilling. She is the biggest of the girls and has no weight lost, maybe a little overweight? She isn't gasping, no sign of worms or gape worm, was wormed last week and no worms apparent in the dropping so not a massive worm load. She is eating/drinking/ acting normally. Her comb is still lovely and red so don't think it's a heart issue. Any ideas would be appreciated A constant source of worry, these ladies.....but I do love them:)) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 More than likely its just the heat and quite normal Chickens pant like dogs and you may find them holding their wings away from their bodies in extreme temps. Its much harder for a big feathery girl like an orp or a bluebelle to keep cool. So long as no other symptoms develop I wouldn't worry about it, just make sure they have plenty of shade and plenty of water Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 It's the heat. They need shade, plenty of cool water (5 degrees is the ideal but how do you achieve that?) and a soil bath to keep cool. You don't mention a soil bath Gavclojak. Have they got one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted June 13, 2014 Author Share Posted June 13, 2014 Hi, yes they have a soil bath, they have plenty of shade, ornamental grass to lay under also a sun shade on the cube. The enclosure is in the sun first thing in the morning but pretty shady the rest of the day. It's weird as it doesn't look like the panting I would expect more gasping but not quite gasping if that makes any sense? She doesn't quite seem herself now but nothing obvious...she loves a wing stretched out in the sun too:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMO Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Drop a few cubes of ice in with their water helps keep the water a little cooler. I drop grapes and sweet corn into a bowl with water and a few ice cubes - mine love dunking their heads in and cooling off! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted June 13, 2014 Author Share Posted June 13, 2014 They have frozen corn and watermelon to peck, several bowls if water and a cat litter tray filled with water to peck:) spoilt girls. I fear it's not the heat but something brewing:(( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 2 possible reasons - overheating (probably the most likely) as discussed above; treat with cool/iced water as suggested, or spray them with some cool water. The other possible reason could be peritonitis, so just check her abdomen gently to see if it appears to be full of fluid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted June 13, 2014 Author Share Posted June 13, 2014 Thanks Dogmother, I had considered peritonitis,she has not laid for ages, her tummy does feel full but not unduly so, I can still feel the bone that runs down the middle and her gizzard. She is still running to the front of the enclosure when she hears me, and she has just polished off some yogurt(someone is laying softies!!) but has messy knickers. I will keep a close eye on her, just wanna get Friday the 13th out of the way without any casualties!, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennie186 Posted June 14, 2014 Share Posted June 14, 2014 Hi I have noticed my big fluffy buff orp doing same thing. They free range for hour or more each day. Have dust bath etc. eating fine. Then if she spots me eating or drinking she will run/waddle at speed to try pinch food and just look at me with mouth open. She has only done this the last 2 hot days. I think it is the heat as smaller chicken is ok and she is fine if not in sun and running about. Luckily the wir is in shade until about 3 which is when they usually get out. I will give them some ice cubes and frozen corn but they will probably ignore it as they don't like new things!! They won't eat grapes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted June 16, 2014 Author Share Posted June 16, 2014 Princess layer is still not quite herself. She isn't mouth breathing as much, but she is refusing mealworms which is unheard of but happily eating her pellet porridge and mixed corn and a little tuna, I have not seen her eating the pellets from her feeder but have been at work so may have just missed it. Something weird though, she is usually the last one to bed and if she is in bed and hears me, she pops out to say hello but for for the last few nights she has been going in with Alana who has Always gone off to bed first. Tummy feels ok, she looks fine in herself, She has still got dirty knickers but i think that is settling. What an enigma? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
