This Chicken Can’t Breathe

Our Australorp hen is struggling to breathe. This is what we did...
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Thanks for watching!

[@jurassicjs6995]

From what I know your hen seemed to display the symptoms of gapeworm. It’s a parasite that lives in the birds lungs and this is why they struggle breathing. I think antibiotics or a special treatment can really fox it up, but what you were doing seemed to work well also. I appreciate how some of your recent videos have highlighted the unfortunate side of poultry keeping, it helps spread awareness of how to help sick birds.

[@schifflangefarms4539]

an Old time poultry breeder once told me to cure gapeworm, to take a feather and dip in turpinitine and wiggle it down the throat of the bird and it will cough up the worms. Don't know if this works as I have never had that problem

[@BooBookitty5279]

I was looking for this comment! I fully agree! It looks like gape worm to me also!!

[@Nendae]

Gapeworm is extremely rare, especially with those that live in a colder climate.

[@promisedjubileedaniels]

It's winter though... Gapeworm is extremely rare during the winter...

[@nellmahar4104]

I don’t think I’d agree on gapeworms at this point necessarily, it’s rarer for that to be the case especially this time of year and I don’t hear them mention the bird is coughing/sneezing which you’d think you’d hear by the time they were this bad. It’s more than likely an illness/lung infection that needs medication. However if that didn’t work then they could try Valbazen dewormer, this would kill any gapeworms.

[@OliviaLovesPugs]

Looks to me like either a respiratory infection or gapeworm, which is a parasite that lives in bird’s airways. I haven’t noticed any discharge or mucus from her though, which is common in respiratory infections, which makes me think it’s gapeworm. You have to be careful treating it though, just like heartworms in pets, because if all the worms die at once, the body can’t just flush them out like parasites in the digestive system, and they could die of septic shock from the parasites rotting inside them. It could be spread throughout the flock, but started showing symptoms due to stress in the flock (cold winter weather). I worry that if Cleopatra’s toes really are dead, she may die due to septic shock if they aren’t amputated. If she lives, she’s going to need special care and housing since she probably won’t be able to roost, and staying on the ground at night in the coop is dangerous, especially in cold weather. She would become a special needs pet. If you’re having frostbite issues, it means that the coops where frostbite is occurring do not have enough ventilation. There needs to be air circulation so that the moisture produced by the chickens pooping and breathing can escape; instead what’s happening is the moisture is settling on the chickens and then freezing, causing frostbite. Frostbite is extremely painful and potentially lethal. Sealing the coops up tight with greenhouse plastic might seem like the best way to keep them warm, but most chickens are very cold hardy (although this depends on breed, age, and health), it’s the frostbite rather than the cold that gets them. Proper winter chicken coops should offer shelter from wind, precipitation, and predators, but still have air flow, such as a small, wire covered window up high to keep open slightly or small gaps throughout the construction so it isn’t as air tight. Chickens will roost all puffed up and huddled together, sitting on their legs, to keep warm and usually can do a fine job of it, unless there’s moisture to cause frostbite. If you’re concerned about your chickens getting frostbite in the short term, then cover their combs, wattles, feet, and legs in something waxy, like Musher’s Secret; it was designed to be applied to the paw pads of sled dogs to protect their feet from the cold and the snow and ice. A lot of people recommend Vaseline, and it does help, but it’s not as effective in preventing frostbite as a product like Musher’s Secret. And by god, please do not add any supplemental heat to the coops! Chickens do not need it if they have a proper coop, and it’s a huge fire hazard, as well as a huge risk to their safety if the heat that they have gotten used to stops working in the middle of the night, which can cause a fast, significant drop in temperature which can kill a bird. And I’m not talking about your indoor brooder and hospital setup, those are cases that obviously need supplemental heat. Keep up the good work caring for each and every animal’s needs, and I am praying that Cleopatra and Annie/Abby make it and recover. Good luck!

[@hassanmunir]

You have detailed out a great concern.

[@The_Woof_Pack]

I learned so much from your comment!!! Thanks!!

[@dodi_gropix]

My pet aseel rooster had the same problem, I raised him since he was 4-7 days old and I grew really attached to him and fed him the best quality homemade feeds such as corn, wheat, oats, almonds, multivitamins. Two month ago I saw him coughing or sneezing and I thought it was due to something stuck on her nose. Few days after that I saw him struggling to breathe or do any other task, when I look closer into his mouth I saw a unusual amount of mucus around his throat, immediately I took him to my nearest animal doctor where he said that he can't identify the disease he had which made me wanna puch him so bad. I came to my house and did some research on the internet to find out what kind of disease he had and how can I cure him which I was unable to. He died the very next morning which made me severely dipressed for weeks. He was a beautiful black aseel with a super long peacock like tail. Still miss him so much.

[@FridayFamilyHomestead]

All of this!!! Now, how do you properly treat gapeworm please?? I’ve heard of it…i like to know and be prepared

[@OliviaLovesPugs]

@@FridayFamilyHomestead You have to use a dewormer to kill them, but make sure it’s actually one that will target the species of worms that cause gapeworm; not all dewormers are equal, and some only target certain species but not others. For example, tapeworms require special dewormers to kill, and a commonly used livestock dewormer, ivermectin, wouldn’t kill gapeworms, but would kill other internal worms like roundworms. With a chicken under suspicion of gapeworm or a chicken doing as badly as in this video, I’d strongly advise consulting a vet for help, because not only is choosing the right medication and administering it correctly difficult to get right on your own, ESPECIALLY in gapeworm, as gapeworm treatment can be very dangerous and can kill a heavily infected bird from sepsis (even though leaving it would also kill the bird by suffocation eventually). It’s best to involve a vet in treating gapeworm because gapeworm is a lot more dangerous and requires specialized treatment, just like hearworms in pets. Also, depending on where you live, you might not be able to just get dewormers off the shelf. In Canada where I am, any parasite prevention and treatment medications must be bought through a vet. And depending on the vets, some won’t prescribe anything without having seen the animal in the last little while., usually like 6 months to a year. Sometimes it’s too late though, and the bird is too heavily infested and won’t survive with or with treatment. At that point it’s much kinder to put them down, because the worms will kill them from slow suffocation. And if one bird is showing gapeworm symptoms and you know it isn’t something else causing the symptoms, you will have to complete a course of the appropriate dewormer throughout the whole flock and other birds on the farm that are susceptible because it will likely be infecting them, but it just hasn’t gotten bad enough to be very symptomatic. Gapeworm will just lie in wait and as soon as your bird becomes stressed or sick or weak, young or old, they will take over and end up killing a bird if not caught and treated early enough. This isn’t just true of gapeworms but rather all parasites to my knowledge, as they are opportunistic and target the weakest animals with the least resistance to infection. I would treat the whole flock on a regular schedule to manage infection if you know you have gapeworm on the property because of the severity of an infection, just like how all dogs and outdoor cats are advised to be kept on a heartworm medication, and a vet can direct you on the proper procedure to do this. This would have to become part of routine farm treatment. And as a side note, holistic treatments for worms do not work; at best, they can maybe slow their infestation rate by making the gut biome less appealing, but they will not prevent an infection and they will not kill worms. They will certainly not prevent or treat gapeworm. Just something to note is that gapeworm is actually more common in waterfowl than chickens, but can spread from one species to another. If you have any ducks and geese or other species of poultry, I would recommend keeping an eye on them for symptoms too and treating them as well if a chicken gets it, and vice versa.

[@teagancooperrr]

Your kid wanting to check on her at night before and after chores just shows his love for animals.

[@crazypeoplearoundtheworld304]

Really? Did you conclude that and feel the need to communicate it to the boys father in the event he couldn't discern the obvious?

[@trishallain6503]

@@crazypeoplearoundtheworld304 Aren't you a ray of sunshine.

[@crazypeoplearoundtheworld304]

@@trishallain6503 thank you. Glad you recognize my Contribution for the betterment of all the KZbin commenters.

[@eduardocarranza4333]

@Crazy People Around the World now of course the comment was pretty basic and repeated multiple times, but there are also the same amount of correction comments out there which well.. Was obviously something we knew and didn't need to have corrected as if we were a bunch of children, and I don't care what you say call me if either a nerd or retard after the comment I placed down, I seriously don't mind.

[@eduardocarranza4333]

@Crazy People Around the World and also, you definitely deserve a raise for the type of job you do 👍

[@lisashaffer1585]

2 of our chickens gasped like that, we used safe-guard equine dewormer and it fixed them right up. I don't think they actually had gape worm but it helped them. You just put 2 dots of it in their beak. Ours were better in 2 days of treatments and a year later now are still fine

[@sweetmountainbaby]

Can you use any wormer ?

[@jamiesmith2113]

I love that you care for every single animal no matter how big or small.

[@LeoTheYuty]

Definitely. Even if a lot of them don't make it, it's definitely appreciated that he tries to help them all.

[@FynnOliverEmonSill]

Honestly.... I am questioning that statement. Seems being a collector in special bred chickens from all over the world being put through these type weather elements where they are freezing off all parts of MANY different birds does NOT reflect your statement.

[@FynnOliverEmonSill]

@@cassandrahens8627 nailed it…. I hang on cause I hope that this is a learning curve. But if he has the same problem when he has that Avery open, it’s going to be a disaster for his reputation…. A DISASTER I tell you….. public perception will definitely have had enough.

[@animalbusiness]

How are you

[@ChiTownGuerrilla]

@@FynnOliverEmonSill After seeing another video of his tiltled "We tricked our hens into hatching the RAREST peacock eggs." Im thinking the same. He's in it for the $.

[@pseudonym9215]

As an asthma patient, I can feel her struggle.

[@lakojake4215]

Same here. I would have been pretty upset if I was having an asthma attack and someone tried to help me by giving me food and water.

[@OrganNLou]

Me too as it broke my heart watching her labored breathing! Glad Annie is better!!!

[@CackleberryFarm]

I think your bird has gape worm. After watching quite a few of your videos, it seems your farm is having a ton of issues with parasites of all types. I recommend that you start adding Apple cider vinegar to your waters. It helps to get rid of bacteria and parasites in waters and inside of your birds. Every year, I dust each chicken by hand with the seven powder. Since you have such a big farm, I wouldn’t recommend doing it by hand but at least putting Seven powder in the bedding or places that your birds dust bathe in. It gets ride of all sorts of ground parasites including lice and mites, Also, VetRX helps smooth the throats of birds. Make sure you only put 1 or two drops down your chickens throat. (Also if it gets really cold, use Vaseline and VetRX on combs, feet, and wattles to keep there heat in. This helps prevent frostbite.) I’m glad that you guys take such great care of your animals. I wish your australorp the best!!!

[@fieryvale]

Yes! We use diatomaceous earth. We dust our birds every couple of months or so.

[@Rockin7E]

@@fieryvale It should be food grade diatomaceous earth!!

[@missbehavesclass6405]

Did you check if she has something STUCK IN HER THROAT? it's exactly the same behavior my pet bird did, when he had a bit of food stuck in it's throat. Easyer breathing when calm, and when in movement struggling extremely.. like my bird..I wish you the best luck with her, you do such a great job and I adore your channel for the dedication you have for your kids and animals..

[@missbehavesclass6405]

@Brandon Latham thanks for your explanation. Good to know. That's what the vet told us with our pet bird, and I echoed what I was told. But you know exactly what you are talking about, so excuse my comment, I didn't know better.

[@rebeccajarrett2483]

How did you get out what was stuck in her throat?

[@maryanndavis5470]

When my hen started breathing like that I found some videos that helped me figure out what could be wrong. I am so great full to the people that post videos. They really do save lives! Anyway, I found out that she had been laying eggs internally. Chickens don't have a protective layer around their organs, so the yoke builds up and eventually there's is so much of it that it puts pressure on their air sacs. The treatment for that is drawing out the fluid with a huge needle. I had to do that every couple of days and that's pretty traumatic. She ended up living about 9 months like that. There is a shot you can get but good luck finding a vet that will see chickens! Even the avian vets refused to treat her, because they are considered poultry!! Chickens are not only birds by definition. They are incredible, highly intelligent birds. The fact that most vets don't find them worthy of treatment because humans eat them... that's just mind blowing. That's what makes them poultry, the fact that they are consumed commercially. If they weren't they would be worthy enough to be on the birds list, not poultry! Needless to say, I could not find a vet worth a damn, and my hen died. Anyway hopefully this will help someone! I should probably make a video lol!

[@flamboyantpotato4004]

"looks like her toes are dead but her foot seems fine so as long as her toes are there she seems fine" Sepsis: allow me to introduce myself

[@ducky3229]

It is gapeworm you need to give her some wormer asap & repeat every couple of days until she stops gaping then every week treat her for the worm try to keep her quite & settled as the more stressed she gets the worse her breathing will get.

[@mcanultymichelle]

It’s nice to see you installed love for animals in your little boy

[@amn357]

It could mean it has gapeworms. There is one particularly nasty parasite that can cause symptoms which are often confused with a respiratory infection. Gapeworm eggs sit in the soil and are ingested by poultry while feeding.

[@animalbusiness]

Hi

[@ShannasCountryCreek]

It's so heartbreaking when our animals are sick or hurt. I lost a quail the other day. I mourned all day. I think he broke his neck. 😭 Great Job❤️ New Sub🥰

[@jessicamadison377]

I’m so elated that Annie recovered. I’ve had a few losses last summer and one was definitely a respiratory Illness. I caught her before anyone else got sick but sadly she passes within 24 hours. She was a youth and I’m grateful it was quick for her poor darling

[@mjrailey4958]

Sadly one cant buy antibiotics for poultry anymore. HOWEVER, you can buy medicated chick feed. It will also have extra nutrients to give the hen an extra boost!

[@cassityart7001]

Use VetRx essential oils. Winter is difficult for birds as dust builds up. Add to warm water and VetRx and add to clean fresh water for all. And clean the inside space for all birds.

[@deborahgilliland1804]

I've used Vet RX on my cat when she was just a kitten. She had an upper respiratory thing going on and the Vet RX really helped to clear it up.

[@tadhoney5489]

a chicken newbie owner here and one of my girls is sick going on a week or so and started second guessing myself on how I’ve been treating her using vet RX in water and in mouth on face and under feathers and this video makes me feel better about treating the hen. Praying I don’t lose her

[@whitehouseonthehill]

Well done. We’re using some internal worm medicine now to kill the problem inside of her. She’s doing better now.

[@Biomess1]

Vet RX is not a treatment, more it just eases the symptoms, you need to find out what is wrong and treat it properly. There is a large chicken forum you could try to find answers in, BYC (Backyard Chickens). Good luck.

[@ici_coop]

All of the other commenters have good suggestions. There’s also the possibility that a gentle massaging of the hen’s crop & esophagus area can clear breathing issues. Sometimes you will actually hear little cricking cracking noise like a Chiro adjustment. Best to hold Annie with two hands and gently feel while massaging & shifting her neck. You can also sway & lift her with hands under her wings like a little gentle hula. If a chicken is stressed, try “purring” to them like their Mamas do to chicks. It really works even putting them into a nap! This is a great tool for children to learn to do to breathe & purr to chickens to calm their own anxiety too. Very powerful.

[@fieryvale]

I have had problems with my chickens having something indigestible in their crop, usually bedding or long blades of grass. Massage definitely helped in those situations. The stones that they swallow to help "chew," as it were, do make a funny sound when I have done that in the past.

[@animalbusiness]

Hi

[@angelathompson9047]

@@fieryvale wow great tips.

[@dlewis895]

HOW DO YOU PURR A CHICKEN AND WHATS THE ACTUAL SOUND...INTERESTING SO MUCH OF CARE IS. SIMILAR TO HUMAN CARE CHILD CARE LUNGS ETC IVE LIKED MOVING COOPS ON WHEELS SO GET FRESH GRASS SEEMS SMART YOUNG COUPLE DOING THEIR OWN

[@sherreeroper7656]

I've seen my chickens gasp for air..I'm watching how you help. You have such great kids..

[@ZiO10001]

I hope the hen gets ok!! And bless you for being attentive to her illness!

[@nanigoose]

In freezing weather, it's a good idea to use waterers that allow birds to drink but not walk in.

[@slomo1716]

Amazing that you noticed and provided emergency care for the chicken that acted like she had something stuck in her thoat. I feel so bad for any of the critters getting frostbite, isn't there a way to hang heat lamps with extension cords to their pens! Praying for a full recovery! God Bless!

[@laurenrt7564]

Heat lamps are actually very dangerous to use as a heating source. A heat plate would be preferable at best.

[@jimmypickett7709]

Thank you so much for sharing this story. I just started working at a new farm about 2 months ago and have been taking care of hens for the first time. This afternoon, I found a hen breathing heavy like yours was, but when I picked her up to try and bring her to isolation, she died in my arms. It was heartbreaking, but this video makes me hopeful that I'll be able to catch the warning signs early enough to care for the next one like you cared for yours.

[@whitehouseonthehill]

Ahh, I’m sorry to hear that

[@pearlrodrigues372]

This is so touching, nice to see people caring for their animals and their family. 🙏❤️

[@ThumbnailGrail]

Beautiful seeing the care you give to every animal!

[@adriennebeasley2067]

I love how you care for those who may be struggling. Thank you for that.

[@whitehouseonthehill]

Thank you ☺️

[@kylesmith6277]

So cool you guys didn't just put her down and tried to help. So proud for you and your beautiful family. Those boys of yours sure are awesome. What an amazing and fullfiling life you're providing them. Kids should have experiences like this I feel like it helps connect them to the world and really appreciate hard work it takes and the beauty of life.

[@MommaGriffin1]

It makes me want to cry! I’d have to bring her in and watch her. She’s struggling so hard to breathe!!

[@whitehouseonthehill]

We had her under a warm heat lamp in a fully enclosed building where I could check on her every hour. Inside chickens are not a possibility with our small home.

[@carloso5910official]

@@whitehouseonthehill Any updates?

[@RedStorm.]

Frostbite is the caregivers fault … need wider perches so they can sleep on their feet. Put panel heaters in the coop. Not being mean, just saying.

[@darrellp8172]

Or insulate the chicken coup and and use the heat lamps.

[@jamesbrown8718]

Jake you do such a great job nursing those hands back to health, seems like the cold weather has taken a toll on your chickens. But I really didn’t think Annie was going to make it the way she was beating. But those drops really seemed to help her. Seeing the two with frost bite was very sad, but I think they healed each other being in there together.

[@patticlaude1]

I use a syringe to keep putting water. When a hen did this I got fenbenzadol for gape worm. That worked

[@tatianahampson9397]

It's so hard to see a pet in pain and it's great to see all the commitment you put into getting them better and making sure they stay that way. I also love the look of enjoyment the baby is getting out of what she is eating. Like it's the best thing she has ever tasted! It must be her favorite

[@carlajones1711]

Put a heat lamp in if there getting frost bite

[@into_a_fantasy_]

So good to see people caring well for their animals thank you!

[@kimskluckers5665]

I adore the compassion your son shows 🥰

[@MegaMindyLou]

That VetRX is pretty good stuff. When I raised canaries I used it. When they had breathing issues like this it was usually air sac mites. If it didn’t clear up in about 14 days I added on board some ivermectin and frontline spray. Birds normally can keep the air sac mites under control but it just takes one or two days of low resistance for them to get over taken. So glad she’s recovered. I love when farmers don’t mind taking the extra for that one bird. ❤️

[@sarahconnor8189]

Wow,,lots of nice animals, and your a wonderful caretaker,,blessings

[@whoknowswho7494]

So lovely to see farmers who care, who treat the animals in their care with kindness. Everyone should be so aware of the emotions/pain of animals.

[@naomimay82]

I grew up in Northern Minnesota. I raised chickens. Sometimes frostbite on the toes happens. Most of my chickens were fine, but the occasional hen would end up with frostbite. It was usually the underdog that the more dominant birds chased off the perches. The coop did not have a floor; it was dirt. I assumed that sleeping on the frozen ground did it. We had straw, but the chickens always rearranged it and left bare patches. I would spread it out, but then find the chickens did a bunch of scratching and left piles in areas and other areas bare.

[@mychaellamurray6702]

When my chickens respiratory issues I have got a treatment for respiratory issues that is loaded with garlic it stinks 😩 but it works and you squeeze the bottle and it has a bulbuls section at the top that will give you the required dose to water ratio. I am glad she is doing well, as for the other chicken her claws need cutting as they have twisted and growing towards the back of her feet. This will help her be more comfortable when walking. Hope this helps as my chickens appreciate it. Keep up the good work love you channel 😃💕

[@se5594]

Is claw cutting something that has to be done/monitored with all chickens? I really want to get about 5 but have no clue where or how you start?

[@cynthiabrennemann3513]

We brought our hens in, gave them a vapor steam bath, then put them in a brooder tub with oregano, thyme, rosemary, lavender, menthol, and eucalyptus under the bedding. We also put colloidal silver in the water and they cleared right up.

[@chrisbell9009]

Your farm family are very compassionate and kind to 1 chicken, all the best

[@jeffseyfert3640]

I'm glad her is doing better .

[@catherinehubbard1167]

The Egyptian chicken breed comes from a hot place without icy winters. She also seems less fluffy, more sleek than the other breeds you have. When the temps go very low at night, the chickens will fluff out their feathers and tuck in their feet. Maybe this breed has less insulating feathers for this? Do you have any other chickens of her breed for comparison of how well they handle the cold?

[@jeanleteff1221]

My favorite thing about y'all's channel is watching your children grow. God Bless you all! Thank you for my Joy

[@troyjackson3164]

Vet rx

[@danchristinerepp2681]

We recently had a hen who was struggling to breathe. We isolated her and treated much the same you did with yours (we had a 2nd hen we placed with her due to injury also) ours did have a wheezing sound along with her l difficulty breathing. We took her to the vet, had her evaluated and had X-ray. Ultimately it was determined she has an enlarged heart and pneumonia related to congestive heart failure. We have given her Lasix and she is improving.

[@suzeeq41]

Lost a very sweet hen to a respiratory illness, Ms Maisy, years ago and I still miss her.

[@franzenmusic]

Thank you for taking care of God's creatures with so much care. Thank you for sharing your family. Be well.

[@bright224]

It's gapeworm. Give all you poultry including the one in the video a generous dose of poultry wormer into the water supply, make sure it's their only water supply to insure they drink the water with the wormer mixed in.

[@melodeeplath8002]

Absolutely Correct !!!!!!

[@kathleenmcginley4827]

I just shared this video with some channels that have their first flock. It is awesome that you share your knowledge and have become a go to site for information. I see that you have crossed the Million sub bar, so congratulations! You and your family certainly deserve it, for all of the hard work you all put into sharing your journey.

[@whitehouseonthehill]

I appreciate it, Kathleen!

[@dagmaryvega6164]

If yall have issues with frostbite maybe try seeing ways to imrpove your coops next year, somehow finding a way to make it warmer. God bless yall 💗

[@susanhaas3465]

I really like what you have done for your birds. It reminds of how we took care of our birds when we first got them and through the years. It’s good you’re teaching your kids as well. Bless you for your kindness.

[@LisaHinch]

We've been in this situation before and you are doing exactly what we did! Checking on your girls individually shows how much you appreciate your 'girls' and that you take your job as flock owner seriously. We have use vetrx in the water and sometimes a drop in the the throat. Keep up the good work!

[@valkyrie1066]

I'm working through chest cold and really feel for Abbie. We've usually had chickens throughout my life, and I've seen a few with a frostbite nub that have lost toes. Bless them. I had a horribly injured chicken whom I considered putting down (mauled by a dog) But due to the insand diligence by my daughter who made a support garment for her (Her thigh/belly was partially degloved.) She came through like a trooper; laid an egg less than a week later, and lived to the same age as her peers. Never saw such an injured chicken survive, but with support, they are VERY sturdy birds! I ccouldn't BELIEVE she was back to laying eggs so quick! Thanks to you and your boys for their faith and affection.

[@naomimay82]

I had a chicken with a similar injury survive and was shocked! A fox attacked her and I ran after the fox and freed her, but her leg and thigh were degloved. It was awful! I took this Watkins salve we had and slathered it on, and put her in a pen by herself. I just kept her fed and watered and slathered with salve. She slowly grew skin over the leg and thigh, and then grew feathers. She lived to a ripe old age and was a good layer. I still marvel when I think of how she survived when I thought for sure she would die.

[@mustangnawt1]

Wow, your daughter is amazing & smart. I don’t know how she even knew how to do that. I Love animals so very much, I would have only thought of worst case. She has a gift for sure

[@niccoetzer8552]

If it is grape worm you might want to keep an eye on your other birds for signs as well…

[@TheUrbancluckers]

How is it treated if it is that?

[@msafwan2610]

​@@TheUrbancluckers if it is gapeworm and if chicken this big have a symptom, then it is very likely it is going to be fatal to the chicken because it means there's too much worm. But it isn't, so this is not a gapeworm. Usually only small chicks have a symptom, so quickly treat all of the chicks with dewormer medication to prevent it from deteriorating. The current condition (in this video) is probably due to heart palpitation (exhaustion) for being too cold, it couldn't work hard enough to maintain heat. Basically, it is lack of air; it could be fluids in lung (infection, pneumonia), exhaustion (eg: heart palpitation), or blockage (eg: gapeworm). Or it is panting because it is too hot (in warm climate).

[@jadaz90210]

Adorable video I went from having anxiety for Annie to calming down and seeing all the beautiful animals that you have on your farm. This is nice to see kids learn and have compassion for nature from an early age.

[@maytyler3624]

Hi iff you put vasaline on there feet comb and waffles it will keep the frost bite at bay

[@DefiantAngel87]

Hope they get well soon. Thank you for sharing. I was starting to feel like I was the only one with chicken issues.

[@Roadrunner78626]

Thank you so much❤God Bless you and yours🙏🏼✝️🕊❤️

[@lindahilger5121]

I HAVE TO SAY, ALTHO YOUR HAVING A BIT OF TROUBLE WITH YOUR HENS...YOUR BIRDS ARE BEUTIFUL!! WHICH COMES WITH GOOD FEED AND ALOT OF WORK! GREAT JOB!!!

[@whitehouseonthehill]

Thank you, Linda!

[@jasond4193]

I thought this was going to be a video about something different. I am happy to have come across this video and touched by your attention to all of your animals. Great management but moreso showing the value of taking care of each animal and how that balances and creates a healthy and happy farm. Thank you.

[@whitehouseonthehill]

Thank you, Jason

[@LiathLaVerneHawke]

My chickens got sick a while back and I also gave them VetRX and vitamins too. It took a few weeks but they did clear up. At the time I wasn't sure if that was the right thing to do for them (even though all made it through it) but I'm glad I got to see you do it cause now I know I did the right thing.

[@SSO_FRIENDS_SQUAD]

I would love to see a update! You are such a kind person

[@kathybradbury]

I just saw a video where a woman improved her chickens health (it wasn’t struggling to breathe however) …she gave it an epsom salt bath-mild warm water, soaked for 5 minutes. Went from puffed up, not eating or moving, to active, and happy again in a very short period of time. Squashes like pumpkin can help with worms.

[@terywetherlow7970]

I saw the Epsom salt bath and recovery too😊

[@gemmawells5001]

You guys are absolutely amazing people ❤️

[@alisav8394]

Love the care you gave to those chickens! The way you didn't want to leave them in a small cage so you let them roam on the floor of the shed! I hope you have no more problems like this0

[@whitehouseonthehill]

Thank you!

[@inu1ful]

Thank you so much for sharing. I am so new to it and just lost my baby again this year...I am studying but I just can't act quick enough. Also it happened after rehome so its hard just visiting twice a week and etc...I am having a hard time grieving over and over this year. I have ISA Browns...I love them to death. I have never thought they get sick and hard to find vets who takes care of I thought and we have to help. Thank you again!You are amazing saving lives of chickens.

[@elizabethfalcon284]

It might be sour crop. I once had a rooster who had it and I just had to rub his throat and 1 teaspoon of Epson salt in 1/2 a cup of water squirted down twice daily for 2-3 days. Hope it helps!

[@Claramaine]

My chicken, Martha, struggled breathing because a smoke issue because we got a heat lamp that made some smoke in their coop. Anyway, we got antibiotic shots that are used for swine. We used it for like six days three shots today. And she got better. I really hope your chicken gets better.

[@lexieskiff6166]

I also live in Missouri (mid Mo- near Jeff city) and we also have an Egyptian Fayoumi (got it with a hatchery special deal) and from the info on the website they are know to not do well in cold climates. So it was likely just a breed characteristic that caused the frost burnt toes and not so much to do with something happening or an issue with the coop/care. I hope she pull through, so far ours is doing pretty good. The good thing about them is that they are great at free ranging bc they are skid-dish and fast.

[@mikescamping]

Wonderful story. I can't tell you how much happiness your channel brings me.

[@donnakuhl2419]

I love that you pay attention to even the most disposable farm animals...did you deworm her? Massage the crop and belly?

[@samiam777]

Looks like gapeworm to me as well commenters, we have fixed this in some hens and others die. We used an oragano oil for antibiotics and it's healed some

[@ELOAAMinistries]

Beautiful family and farm! That Bellsa is too cute! Blessings and Grace!

[@Lyera1]

So much love in your video, such a relief from the harsh time we are in. Thank You so much for sharing your life with us.

[@whitehouseonthehill]

Thank you so much!

[@melolore1280]

I absolutely adore the array of feathered friends. They’re all beautiful! 🐔

[@animalbusiness]

How are you

[@crystalpierre4962]

I hope your chicken can heal well and get better

[@darlenechadwick375]

Have mercy! That poor thing looks like I feel sometimes with my COPD! Difference is I have reasoning that helps me cope with the anxiety of slowly suffocating!!! The sure & confident way you guys handle it conveys trust & helps keep it calm! Which is a mega biggie when dealing with this particular problem. The instant you give in to the fear, of being unable to breathe, everything goes downhill! That’s when your trachea constricts & your lungs begin to speed up respirations you don’t have to begin with!!! That is some very lucky birds to live with you guys!Thank you for sharing & maybe my sharing helps you realize just how much of a Miracle you guys are doing out there on your hill! I know your chicken sure appreciates you!!! Blessings ! ❤ from Texas, USA

[@heidi8665]

A real paradise for animals with this lovely family. ❤️

[@anitaelghandor7295]

I'm so glad she is okay,👍🌻

[@siennapine9138]

vetericyn plus for poultry helps with frostbite and a lot more, it’s my go to for all of my poultry injuries. I love all of your videos. ❤️

[@cinder7183]

Vetericyn is the absolute best for wounds. A friend had an issue on his leg, a spider bite, cellulitis. He used Vetericyn and it cleared it up. His physician was surprised, he had been prescribing very expensive ointment that wasn't working.

[@alinakrohn7726]

What a gorgeous variety of animals y'all have! Such love displayed by your family being such good stewards to your farm! Heartwarming for a greenhorn farmer like me :)

[@whitehouseonthehill]

Thank you!

[@chickinnfarmer]

I’m glad your hen is feeling better ❤

[@charissaclarice]

What's the plan to prevent future frostbite?! It can't keep happening now that you've said that bad weather is coming

[@whitehouseonthehill]

Can't prevent it if weather gets down to -30° F windchill. I would need a nice large barn to completely block out cold weather and it's not in the budget at the moment. But frostbite on combs or an isolated incident on one chicken's feet doesn't stop chickens from living out their life and still producing eggs. One or two days a year doesn't change our plans.

[@msafwan2610]

​@@whitehouseonthehill I use space-blanket, it is very warm. I put it on nest where hens brood, and on several bowls where I kept pulleys and cockerel, where they sometimes sleep in it. I also saw videos where people put space-blanket covering the whole room where they kept chicks.

[@Geekingfr]

Love your videos so much! Much love from Sweden❤❤

[@vickiemeisinger9632]

Thank you for your extreme love for all your animals and going 1000 yards and beyond to save them and cure Zamm and heal them and repair any damage that happens to them because I know a lot of farmers that were just let them die and let nature take over. I hope you win the battle for Abbey. It has the frozen feet, and I’m glad the chicken that was having difficulty breathing,? Amy? Is better by now… I was born with asthma, issues. And watching that bird gasp for air was just how I live my life for the first 22 years of my life. It’s a terrible feeling and I was hospitalized and taken to the ER many times to prevent me from dying. I came from a large family of 12 children and there just wasn’t lots of money and in the winter time I wish the worst. Winter has hit here hard in the Midwest and already, I’m struggling to breathe this past week. It has been in the asthma has reappeared in my life and today I have to go to the hospital for an infusion and it’s 22 or 24° outside B-r-rrr

[@zarahofshiloh7537]

We have seen this before with one of our hens. I felt something hard in her crop. She kept doing what this hen is doing. I sat on a chair and held her by her legs upside down. We massaged it and it took quite of time. That is why I got a chair and I just slowly massaged it out until it came out of her beak. It was compacted feed. We also had buff orpingtons that would get sick. We gave the Arsenicum album 30c dissolved in water once a day and swipe out mucus with q-tip twice a day. Hope it helps for future reference.

[@abbi_isme]

It put a big smile on my face when you decided to name the hen Abbie because that’s my name. 😊

[@chrystal4roses122]

I would have a chicken house or an hen house for the chickens for in the winter that way they won't get sick or get frostbit

[@adambrant9701]

i love how many different types of birds and animals you have. very cool

[@dove4108]

I don’t raise chickens but I appreciate your channel and watching how much caring you put into your animals:) I just wondered how does it work with chickens do you have a vet that can come see her?

[@smoothtwh]

It's SO Awesome to see your children involved with every aspect of caring for your ailing chicken. It will serve them well. God Bless!!!

[@allenmuller7752]

I am waiting every weekend for your video I love it ❤ From upstate New York

[@jayanthony911]

So awesome to see children on a farm learning how to take care of animals

[@AlabasterJar7]

The baby looks like she is enjoying her food so much.

[@ninafox337]

We have a astrolorp named Aussie she is one of the best birds we have

[@kristencutlip9028]

I would take great consideration into finding methods of insulating your coops. As well as buying a cheap stethoscope to listen to lungs when issues come up. I look forward to your videos and watching your family care for all the animals! Can we get a little more content on the piggies 😍

[@theyard6958]

Props to you for not just performing the coup de grace, and giving them care. as someone that had my own small farm at one time, I know that care often doesn't out weigh the return but its not always about that when you are a conscious farmer

[@LOVEMYDOGGIES]

Thank you for taking care of them

[@greg36567]

What in the world. I had to stop the video when you said day 36 and that’s when she was “looking better”. Veterinary care should been received instead of letting your pet suffer for over a month. This is just awful and you should be ashamed. Medication was definitely needed in this circumstance and as a responsible poultry owner you should have done better. Also if your chickens are getting that bad of frostbite something needs to be done to their housing situation. Please do better

[@gracem5443]

You are mean that’s what you are, he doesn’t know that you RUDE person say it don’t be rude