How Chickens Breathe

*** How Chickens Breathe ***

Ever wondered how your chickens breathe? Yes me too..., so here we take a look at that very subject which makes quite interesting reading. DID YOU KNOW? That chickens actually breathe through their nose/nostrils and not via their beak. 

How they do it?

Air enters through their nostrils and passes through the pharynx and trachea. Chickens have long necks, they need to preen those hard to reach places and peck into every nook and cranny. As a result they have a long trachea which allows a relatively large amount of air to enter in one breath. This function results in a low breathing rate (hens take roughly 30-35 breaths per minutes, and cockerels roughly 18-20). The trachea is protected by the larynx which makes sure that food does not enter the airway when the chicken is swallowing. The trachea branches into smaller bronchi, which enter the lungs and then branch into secondary bronchi and hundreds of small loops called parabronchi. This results in a large surface area within a relatively small space and more efficient transfer of oxygen. The lungs are attached to the ribs and only expand a little when air is breathed in. The lungs don’t expand like a balloon like those of a mammal. The rib cage in chickens has to be far more rigid than in mammals to provide a strong anchoring point for the large flight-enabling muscles. Here’s the interesting bit… Chickens also use their bones to help them breathe. No, that isn’t a typing error!  In addition to the relatively familiar trachea and lung system, the avian secondary bronchi also lead into separate air sacs, and from there into the pneumatic bones. Pneumatic bones contain a light honeycomb structure of air filled cavities. These bones provide a secondary route by which air exchange can occur. The air sacs that connect the lungs to the pneumatic bones have very thin walls; they act like bellows to pull air into the relatively rigid lungs. Pneumatic bones also make birds lighter allowing them to fly. Also another but uncommonly known fact about chicken bones is that they can use the calcium within bones and extract it to provide calcium for eggshell development, however this is a detriment to the bird and can cause illness, lameness or even death and oyster shell and/or calcium supplement should be given ad-lib to support eggshell development. 

Chicken the nose/nostrils regularly

As chickens use their nose/nostrils for breathing they can often become blocked from feed and dirt causing respiratory issues or sneezing. So it is imperative that you check your chickens nose/nostrils regularly and clear any blockage(s) and clean any dirt to prevent respiratory problems and illnesses. All you need is warm water with epsom salts and cotton wool to clean and maybe a tissue to dry.

Whats the difference between birds and mammals respiratory systems

There are many but subtle differences of the respiratory system between birds and mammals and if you would like to learn more then please click HERE. 

My chicken is gasping or breathing through its beak

If your chicken is gasping for air or appears to be breathing through its beak then you need to act fast upon this as this would indicate there is a respiratory issue with your chicken or possibly its nose/nostrils may be blocked as outlined above. If the nose/nostrils are not blocked or don't require cleaning then you may need further assistance in what to do and our HELP & ADVICE document will provide you with that assistance should you need it and also our POULTRY FRIENDLY VETS document will locate your a vet if required.

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