Sophie Bennett
If your chicken is breathing with its mouth open, it may be attempting to regulate its body temperature, especially if it is hot out or the chicken has a lot of feathers. Chickens do not have sweat glands, so they pant to cool down. If the chicken is also sticking a wing out, it is likely overheated. However, if the chicken is gasping for air, it may be a sign of a respiratory issue, such as infectious bronchitis, laryngotracheitis, or chronic respiratory disease (CRD). Respiratory diseases usually include additional signs, such as sneezing, coughing, wheezing, a runny nose, or sticky eyes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chicken's beak is open while breathing | Chicken is ill, stressed, or trying to regulate its temperature |
| Chicken's skin is warm | Chicken is overheated |
| Chicken lifts its wings away from its body | Chicken is overheated |
| Chicken's nostrils are blocked | Chicken is struggling to breathe |
| Chicken is lethargic | Chicken might have a respiratory infection |
| Chicken is sneezing and coughing | Chicken might have a respiratory infection |
| Chicken's eyes are watery and swollen | Chicken might have laryngotracheitis |
| Chicken's eyes are sticky | Chicken might have CRD |
| Chicken has nasal discharge | Chicken might have CRD |
| Chicken has a full crop | Chicken might have a respiratory issue |
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What You'll Learn
Mouth open and gasping
If your chicken is breathing with its mouth open and gasping, it could be a sign of heat stress. Chickens do not have sweat glands, so they pant to regulate their body temperature, similar to dogs. If the weather is hot, your chicken may be breathing with its mouth open to inhale cool air. You can check if your chicken is hot by feeling its skin, particularly the wattles, comb, and feet. If these areas feel warm, it is likely that your chicken is hot. To help your chicken cool down, provide it with shade, fresh water, and a fan or sprinkler. You can also add ice to your chicken's water or offer it a tray of ice water to drink or walk in.
In some cases, open-mouth breathing in chickens can be a sign of respiratory distress. Respiratory diseases in chickens can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi. Some common respiratory diseases in chickens include laryngotracheitis, infectious bronchitis, chronic respiratory disease (CRD), and infectious coryza. If your chicken is struggling to breathe and exhibits additional symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, or nasal discharge, it may be suffering from a respiratory infection. In this case, it is important to seek veterinary help as soon as possible.
Another possible cause of open-mouth breathing in chickens is ingestion or inhalation of contaminated items during foraging. Chickens may pick up and ingest foreign objects, toxins, or corrosive materials while scratching and foraging for food. If there is a partial blockage in the throat or esophagus, the chicken may need to keep its mouth open to breathe. In this case, you should seek veterinary care immediately.
It is important to monitor your chicken's breathing and overall health and seek veterinary advice if you are concerned. While some cases of open-mouth breathing may be due to heat stress or mild respiratory issues, it can also be a sign of a more serious health condition.
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Overheating
Chickens with heat stress may exhibit the following behaviours:
- Panting with their beak open
- Rapid breathing
- Spreading their wings away from their bodies or holding them in a drooped position
- Squatting low to the ground
- Spending more time resting or lying down
- Seeking shade or shelter
- Reduced feed intake
- Decreased egg production
- Weight loss
- Increased thirst
If you notice these signs, there are several ways to help cool down your chicken:
- Provide ample shade and proper ventilation
- Set up a fan or sprinkler
- Offer tubs of water they can step into to cool off
- Provide a tray of ice water to drink
- Install misters to cool the ambient temperature
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Respiratory diseases
A chicken breathing with an open beak is typically indicative of heat stress or illness. While chickens breathing with their mouths open may simply be attempting to regulate their body temperature, it can also be a sign of respiratory distress.
Infectious Bronchitis
Infectious bronchitis is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a type of coronavirus. It can cause coughing, sneezing, and rattling sounds in the throat. Older birds may only exhibit these symptoms at night, while on the roost. While there is no specific treatment, antibiotics may help combat secondary bacterial infections.
Avian Influenza
Avian influenza can be mild or highly pathogenic. The mild form causes listlessness, loss of appetite, respiratory distress, diarrhoea, transient drops in egg production, and low mortality. The highly pathogenic form causes facial swelling, blue combs and wattles, and dehydration with respiratory distress. Antibiotics are available to treat bacterial infections.
Fowl Pox
Fowl pox is caused by a poxvirus and appears in two forms: dry pox and wet pox. Dry pox affects the skin and usually resolves on its own, while wet pox is much more serious and can be deadly. It affects the bird's ability to breathe and swallow, leading to suffocation or starvation. Mosquitoes are the primary reservoir and spreaders of fowl pox, and there is some evidence that they remain infective for life.
Chronic Respiratory Disease (CRD)
CRD is a bacterial disease caused by Mycoplasma gallisepticum. It is contagious, usually slow to develop, and long-lasting. Symptoms include watery eyes, coughing, sneezing, and respiratory sounds such as gurgling, choking, or whistling. CRD can be treated with erythromycin eye ointment, but if left untreated, it can lead to increased swelling and difficulty breathing.
Infectious Coryza
Infectious coryza is a bacterial disease caused by Haemophilus paragallinarum. It is prevalent in California and the southeastern states, and older chickens are more susceptible. Symptoms include foul-smelling discharge from the nostrils, watery and sticky eyes, and swelling of the face. Good management and sanitation are crucial to preventing infectious coryza, and vaccination is recommended in endemic areas.
Pigeon Paramyxovirus
This disease affects the respiratory and nervous systems and can cause a drop in egg production, soft-shelled eggs, greenish loose faeces, torticollis (twisted neck), and even sudden death. It is transmitted by aerosol and through droppings, and it can survive for several weeks in a dead host or excretions.
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Respiratory issues
A chicken breathing with an open beak is typically either ill or under stress. Respiratory issues in chickens usually include additional signs, such as sneezing, coughing, wheezing, a runny nose, or sticky eyes. Most respiratory infections are highly contagious. Some are caused by viruses, while others are bacterial.
Chickens do not have sweat glands, so they may also open their mouths to breathe if they are trying to regulate their body temperature. If the chicken is also sticking a wing out, it is likely overheated. Overheating can be remedied by providing the chicken with shade, a fan, or a sprinkler, as well as water to drink and, in some cases, ice to stand in.
Respiratory diseases in chickens include:
- Laryngotracheitis: This disease has no known treatment and can be fatal. Survivors can infect other chickens, so some states require culling. A vaccine is available for use in areas where the disease is prevalent.
- Chronic respiratory disease (CRD): This bacterial disease is contagious and usually comes on slowly, lasting a long time. It often follows an acute respiratory virus, such as infectious bronchitis. CRD can be treated with erythromycin eye ointment, which requires a veterinary prescription.
- Infectious coryza: This bacterial respiratory disease is particularly prevalent in California and the southeastern United States. Chickens become more susceptible as they get older. Infectious coryza can be difficult to recognize because it resembles other respiratory diseases and often occurs in combination with them. The main signs are foul-smelling discharge from the nostrils, watery and sticky eyes, and swelling of the face.
- Pox: Pox appears in two forms. Dry pox is the more common form, affecting the skin and usually resolving on its own. Wet pox is more serious and can be deadly. It typically affects mature chickens that inhale the virus from dust and dander. This disease causes yellowish curd-like bumps in the mouth and windpipe, which can accumulate and affect the bird's ability to breathe and swallow, leading to suffocation or starvation. Controlling wet pox involves managing mites and mosquitoes, along with annual vaccination.
In addition to these diseases, respiratory issues in chickens can also be caused by something blocking the airway, such as a small piece of feed getting stuck in the throat. This is known as stridor and usually clears up within a few hours.
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Normal chicken breathing
Firstly, chickens do not have a diaphragm. Instead, their lungs are attached directly to the ribcage and only expand a little when air is breathed in. Without a diaphragm, chickens must move their entire ribcage to draw sufficient air into their lungs. This means that their ribcage is far more rigid than that of mammals, providing a strong anchor point for the large flight-enabling muscles.
Secondly, chickens have pneumatic bones, which contain a light honeycomb structure of air-filled cavities. These bones provide a secondary route for air exchange. The air sacs that connect to the pneumatic bones have very thin walls, acting like bellows to pull air into the lungs, allowing a circular flow of air through the body.
In addition to the trachea and lung system, the avian secondary bronchi lead into separate air sacs, some of which are housed in the bird's skeletal system. The typical breathing rate for a hen is 12-37 breaths per minute, compared to 18-20 breaths per minute for a cockerel and 12-20 breaths per minute for a human adult.
Chickens also have long necks, which allow a relatively large amount of air to enter in one breath. This is advantageous for their energetic activities, such as pecking and running.
It is important to note that a chicken normally breathes with a closed beak. If you notice a chicken breathing with an open beak, it may be a sign of heat stress or illness. Chickens do not have sweat glands, so they pant to regulate their temperature. However, this can also indicate stress or a more serious respiratory illness, especially if accompanied by other symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, or wheezing.
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Frequently asked questions
Chickens normally breathe with a closed beak, so if your chicken is breathing with an open beak, it may be a sign that something is wrong.
If your chicken is breathing with an open beak, it could be ill or under stress from heat or anxiety. If it is hot, your chicken may be trying to regulate its temperature. Check if its skin is warm and if its nostrils are clear of debris.
Respiratory infections in chickens usually include additional signs, such as sneezing, coughing, wheezing, a runny nose, or sticky eyes. Other signs include nasal discharge, respiratory sounds such as gurgling or rattling, and lethargy.
If you suspect your chicken has a respiratory infection, separate it from the rest of your flock and keep it well-fed and hydrated. You can also try giving it immune-boosting foods and electrolytes. If the issue persists, seek advice from a veterinarian.
