Scaredyhen Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 Hello, I only seem to post here with my worries over the chickens. Must start putting pics of them up on the good days Anyway, a couple of times today when the girls have been resting outside the back door I have heard a long, high pitched squeak coming from Elsa. I poked my head round thinking the dog was nearby and she was giving a warning, but this hasn't been the case each time - I've probably heard it three times today. Tonight when they were back on their step she did it again, then I saw her gape once. She put her head under her wing to sleep - I've never seen any of them do this in the daytime, but have seen her do it twice today. I thought at this point her breathing seemed to require a little more effort than I have noticed before. Could this be the start of a respiratory infection? Comb is red, she is eating well, no ocular or nasal discharge, normal behaviour otherwise. They were wormed in April with flubenvet pellets. I have changed them on to layers mash rather than pellets in the past two days. They have gone bonkers for it and have virtually inhaled the stuff, so could she possibly literally have inhaled some?! Never knew I would be so worried about this little gang! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 Dry mash or dusty food will cause respiratory irritation. We have experienced this and now regularly remove dust from the feeders and only serve wet mash. Perhaps that's the problem Scaredyhen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scaredyhen Posted June 10, 2015 Author Share Posted June 10, 2015 Ahhh, thanks Beantree I'll go out and water it down then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 You need to be aware that wet mash has a very short life before it starts to go off Scaredyhen. In our experience what is made in the morning is beginning to rot by afternoon so we put cat bowls of it down and remove them after a few hours. They still have pellets as well, but do prefer the wet mash and it's a good way of restoring a lost appetite. Rotten wet mash is a certain recipe for sour crop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
