Xs 2Harry Rooster when you say she smelled bad it makes me worry you might be dealing with Coryza.
Infectious Coryza
Synonyms: roup, cold, coryza
Species affected: chickens, pheasants, and guinea fowl. Common in game chicken flocks.
Clinical signs: Swelling around the face, foul smelling, thick, sticky discharge from the nostrils and eyes, labored breathing, and rales (rattles -- an abnormal breathing sound) are common clinical signs. The eyelids are irritated and may stick together. The birds may have diarrhea and growing birds may become stunted (see Table 1).
Mortality from coryza is usually low, but infections can decrease egg production and increase the incidence and/or severity of other diseases. Mortality can be as high as 50 percent, but is usually no more than 20 percent. The clinical disease can last from a few days to 2-3 months, depending on the virulence of the pathogen and the existence of other infections such as mycoplasmosis.
Transmission: Coryza is primarily transmitted by direct bird-to-bird contact. This can be from infected birds brought into the flock as well as from birds which recover from the disease which remain carriers of the organism and may shed intermittently throughout their lives.. Birds risk exposure at poultry shows, bird swaps, and live-bird sales. Inapparent infected adult birds added into a flock are a common source for outbreaks. Within a flock, inhalation of airborne respiratory droplets, and contamination of feed and/or water are common modes of spread.
Treatment: Water soluble antibiotics or antibacterials can be used. Sulfadimethoxine (Albon, Di-Methox
) is the preferred treatment. If it is not available, or not effective, sulfamethazine (Sulfa-Max
, SulfaSure), erythromycin (gallimycin), or tetracycline (Aureomycin) can be used as alternative treatments. Sulfa drugs are not FDA approved for pullets older than 14 weeks of age or for commercial layer hens. While antibiotics can be effective in reducing clinical disease, they do not eliminate carrier birds.
Prevention: Good management and sanitation are the best ways to avoid infectious coryza. Most outbreaks occur as a result of mixing flocks. All replacement birds on "coryza-endemic" farms should be vaccinated. The vaccine (Coryza-Vac) is administered subcutaneously (under the skin) on the back of the neck. Each chicken should be vaccinated four times, starting at 5 weeks of age with at least 4 weeks between injections. Vaccinate again at 10 months of age and twice yearly thereafter.
This is why I say get pictures if you can and please, write down everything, even if you don't think it's important, and provide that info as well in your description of problem. I would much rather read through a long list of issues than to give incorrect information. That doesn't help you or the bird.
Do you know what the sores are from? Were these birds in filthy pens before you got them? Do they just smell near the head or is it all over them. Do yourself and the birds a favor and really think about the symptoms. BYC people will bend over backwards to help but more info is needed. This is experience talking, I left something out once and lost the bird because of it.
Before you switch antibiotic again, stop, look and listen. Sounds silly but sometimes it's the best advice. I know Bubbles doesnt like to be held but if you can get close and listen to her chest you'll know if it's deep or just upper nasal.
I just reread this answer and I'm sorry if it comes across as being short. It isn't meant that way at all so please don't take offence. I am concerned that I may not have given you the right information and am kicking myself for missing something.
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