Canker and swallen chicken face :(

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Ilona

Ilona

In the Brooder
8 Years
Aug 29, 2011
40
0
24
I noticed my chicken having trouble swallowing, few days later she stopped eating and looked like she was about to die. When I looked inside her beak there was a growth in her beak that took up right lower half. From descriptions and pictures it looked like canker so I took it out. It smelled bad!!! I gave her about 20mL of water since she seemed dehydrated. Next day i started giving her 75mg of metronidazole daily. Today it's day 4 of antbiotic and she is eating better and even pecking her sisters. What I noticed though that right side of her face is swallen and so is her comb. Now I am worrying that she has a secondary infection that metronidazole won't cover. What antibiotic is used for bacterial skin infections? I have oxytetracycline but not sure if it's appropriate. Also she has been leying soft shell eggs since she has been sick. Any insight is appreciated.
 
If she has canker or if you suspect that she has canker you should move her out of the area with the other birds. Canker is contagious just like a canker sore is contagious on a human.
 
Eyes are not swallen. As for canker in chickens, it is caused by trichomonas which is a protozoan that is only contagious by direct contact with saliva. It dies fast outside of wet environment. So i am just cleaning water everyday and keeping everything dry to prevent spreading disease
 
Ilona said:
Eyes are not swallen. As for canker in chickens, it is caused by trichomonas which is a protozoan that is only contagious by direct contact with saliva. It dies fast outside of wet environment. So i am just cleaning water everyday and keeping everything dry to prevent spreading disease
Click to expand...
You're ahead of the game and know more than most folks, congrats! As you already know, canker is contageous and infected birds remain carriers. Purchase copper sulfate and mix 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water to keep the canker in check. Give it to your birds for 3 days straight once a month. It's also used for blackhead as noted in the link.
https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/acidified_copper_sulfate.html
Hold off on the antibiotic you mentioned, it can be caused by the canker as well. Give time for the metronidazole to do its job.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for advise. I will hold off on the oxytetra then. How long would you keep her on metronidazole? What is blackhead? Is copper sulfate toxic to cats? My cat hangs out with chickens and drinks their water
 
Ilona said:
Thanks for advise. I will hold off on the oxytetra then. How long would you keep her on metronidazole? What is blackhead? Is copper sulfate toxic to cats? My cat hangs out with chickens and drinks their water
Click to expand...
The AAAP Avian Disease Manual says to treat for five days.
 
Do they recommend a specific dosing? I am doing 30mg/kg once a day
 

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