20 wk Pullet sneezing, shaking head

[Julieh9r]

I too am new to chickens raising and have 2 20 weeks old pullets doing the same thing. I use pine shavings as well and DE under the shavings. They eat well, drink well. I went to TSC and they suggested I use Vetrx. I've put it in their drinking water and applied to their nostrils. What else could this be. Thanks for all the help you can suggest!

 

[Eggcessive]

Vet Rx while used by many people only contains herbal oils which may have about the same effects of Vicks Salve. See below:

Active Ingredient(s): Made with 3.3% (v-v) alcohol U.S.P. The mixture contains Canada balsam, camphor, oil origanum, oil rosemary, blended in a corn oil base.

Sneezing and head shaking alone could be signs of infectious bronchitis or a mild form of MG. If facial or eye swelling, eyes sticking together with drainage, eye bubbles, and nasal drainage develops, then it is more than likely MG. In addition to that, if a bad odor develops, it could be coryza. ILT causes severe gasping, coughing. gaping, and may produce bloody mucus from the beak and nostrils. IB and ILT won't respond to antibiotics as MG and coryza will, but secondary infections may be prevented with their administration. Tylan, oxytetracycline, and Gallimycin are good ones to use. Here is a the same link I posted in your other thread: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

Here is a link for your state vet to find out how to get your chickens tested for a respiratory disease, or for a necropsy if you lose one: http://www.usaha.org/Portals/6/StateAnimalHealthOfficials.pdf

 

[Julieh9r]

This is great info. They have few signs of MG. One of the them now has nasal drip and I noticed her face is puffy under her eyes. Her wattles and coms are real red now. I think I'll get the Tylan tomorrow and them all going on it. None of them are laying yet. Could MG stop egg laying?

 

[Eggcessive]

Just about any respiratory disease can decrease or stop laying for awhile. If you smell a bad odor around the head that could be coryza, then I would add sulfadimethoxine or sulmet to the Tylan. Tylan will be found in the cattle medicines. Here are some good links about MG if you are interested in reading them:
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/disea...ction-mg-chronic-respiratory-disease-chickens
http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pou...lasma_gallisepticum_infection_in_poultry.html
http://umaine.edu/livestock/poultry/mycoplasma-gallisepticum-faq/
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps034

To assure thorough dissolving, place the Tylan Soluble (contents of this package) in a one-gallon or 5 litre mixing container and add the water to the Tylan Soluble powder. Always add the water to the powder. Do not pour the powder into the water. Dosage is 1 teaspoonful of powder added to 1 gallon of water for 5 days.