Worried about a White Rhode Island Red

Hi All.

Only been a keeper for 6 weeks and very worried for Margot, our white RIR cross.

Margot was the top chicken in our flock of 3. Since last Saturday when it got very hot down here in Southampton her condition has detoriated rather badly and now she is looking very sad for herself. Her breathing seems laboured, her comb has lost colour and condition, her tail feathers are no longer standing up and she is "coughing" every so often. Her beak is open most of the time and every so often she "gurgles" as she breathes in.

There isn't any evidence of nasal discharge. Her crop doesn't feel enlarge or swollen and there is nothing evidently stuck in her throad that I can see. She doesn't appear to be egg bound as I can't feel anything inside her. But she hasn't laid since Saturday whereas she was laying every day before hand.

She isn't off her food or water, but she is definitely not as quick and active as she was but when we let them out to roam in the garden she seems to perk up and trots around for a while and then seeks solitude in the golden rod!

At first we thought she was struggling in the heat, so we made extra shade in their run and started adding ice to their water and wetting down their dustbath.

Do I need to take her to the vet? or does anyone have any advice they could offer??

Thanks.

good luck with your hen, i've never heard of a white Rhode Island Red you learn something new every day.