ScarlettSiren
In the Brooder
Quick background - picked up from a local farm Saturday afternoon. Farm had a sneezing turkey on sight, but all the hens appeared happy and healthy. 3 hrs after getting her and her sister home, they began sneezing, had a little clear nasal discharge and would drink large amounts of water and regurgitate a little when bending head down.
Took to the vet today for these upper respiratory symptoms as she and her sister still appeared otherwise healthy. Normal energy levels, drinking a lot, eating constantly (they are in a large brooder to quarantine from the rest of my flock). He prescribed Tylan powder to mix into their water for the next 21 days to treat them. He did not feel symptoms were consistent with avian influenza.
Have not seen the regurgitation since about 6hrs after getting them home after purchasing them until getting them back home today, however, they are not closely monitored as my husband and I work full time jobs.
This evening, one of the hens was making an odd, stuttered breathy sound. I popped my head in the bathroom they're currently in (it's been quite cold at night and we don't have an extra heat lamp) and she was straining to defecate while making this noise. She was producing droppings, but kept grooming her vent repeatedly and kept doing this several times. After, she popped right back up like she was fine. Happened one other time since, but stopped as soon as I popped my head into the bathroom.
We *just* started the Tylan powder about an hour ago and both barred rocks have drank a lot.
1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
Barred rock hen, 20wks old, unsure of weight, but is appropriate.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
See above
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
At least 3.5 days for respiratory symptoms, a few hours for the defecation symptoms.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
Sister from same batch of eggs hatched together from the same farm is showing respiratory symptoms.
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
No
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
Unclear- just got them 3 days ago
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Purina medicated starter/grower feed, has gotten a blueberry or two and some dried soldier fly larvae
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Poop is normal, but urates are clear and runny
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
Tylan Powder started about an hour ago
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
I don't want them to suffer, but I'm not going to spend a ridiculous amount of money on them, if I'm being honest. If I need to cull them, I will. If it's something I can manage at home a long with the Tylan powder, I'd like to go that route.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
I don't
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
Currently in large dog crate converted to temporary brooder that was sanitized 48hrs prior to picking hens up. Puppy pads line the bottom of crate with layer of pine shavings on top of it.
Took to the vet today for these upper respiratory symptoms as she and her sister still appeared otherwise healthy. Normal energy levels, drinking a lot, eating constantly (they are in a large brooder to quarantine from the rest of my flock). He prescribed Tylan powder to mix into their water for the next 21 days to treat them. He did not feel symptoms were consistent with avian influenza.
Have not seen the regurgitation since about 6hrs after getting them home after purchasing them until getting them back home today, however, they are not closely monitored as my husband and I work full time jobs.
This evening, one of the hens was making an odd, stuttered breathy sound. I popped my head in the bathroom they're currently in (it's been quite cold at night and we don't have an extra heat lamp) and she was straining to defecate while making this noise. She was producing droppings, but kept grooming her vent repeatedly and kept doing this several times. After, she popped right back up like she was fine. Happened one other time since, but stopped as soon as I popped my head into the bathroom.
We *just* started the Tylan powder about an hour ago and both barred rocks have drank a lot.
1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
Barred rock hen, 20wks old, unsure of weight, but is appropriate.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
See above
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
At least 3.5 days for respiratory symptoms, a few hours for the defecation symptoms.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
Sister from same batch of eggs hatched together from the same farm is showing respiratory symptoms.
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
No
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
Unclear- just got them 3 days ago
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Purina medicated starter/grower feed, has gotten a blueberry or two and some dried soldier fly larvae
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Poop is normal, but urates are clear and runny
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
Tylan Powder started about an hour ago
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
I don't want them to suffer, but I'm not going to spend a ridiculous amount of money on them, if I'm being honest. If I need to cull them, I will. If it's something I can manage at home a long with the Tylan powder, I'd like to go that route.
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
I don't
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
Currently in large dog crate converted to temporary brooder that was sanitized 48hrs prior to picking hens up. Puppy pads line the bottom of crate with layer of pine shavings on top of it.
