30 bird flock with respiratory illness

[elehman]

Hi - We have 15 layers of various breeds and 15 Freedom Rangers that are almost at slaughter weight. For the first time in years of raising chickens, we have a widespread respiratory illness. 3 chickens have already died. The symptoms are:

1. They sound like Darth Vader
2. They are low energy and the really sick ones sit still and reflexively open their mouths
3. I think they are trying to cough, but it is pitiful sounding.
4. stool is normal
5. food and water intake is normal
6. no weight loss, though the gains may have stopped
7. laying is definitely down a bit.
8. no visible mucous

We have been treating with VetRX as per the instructions, but have seen no improvement.

I have spent all day trying to get in touch with a poultry vet to no avail - they are either shut for covid, on holiday or won't treat large flocks.

Suggestions? My neighbor has some Sulfa Trimethropim 800mg for her horses that I am considering using in water and controlling intake to match g/kg limits for poultry. At this point, the birds are dying and I have no viable alternative unless your collective wisdom might offer up a suggestion!

AND: once we've treated, assuming the meat birds return to health, would you eat them? How long would you wait to slaughter if you would eat them?

Much appreciated.

 

[dawg53]

As you've found out, VetRx wont treat respiratory diseases. If it were Coryza, the SMZ-TMP would be an effective treatment. Is there a foul odor around the head area of any of your sick birds? If so, it's Coryza.
It could be Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (MG). Treatment would be Tiamulin aka Denagard. Tylosin and Baytril are also effective treating MG.
Infectious Bronchitis (IB) is a virus and antibiotics are ineffective in treating IB. IB is not known as a killer though.
As far as slaughter withdrawal periods, it depends what disease they have and what medication is used.
Perhaps you can contact your local extension office and ask for assistance in determining what disease(s) your birds might have.

 

[Folly's place]

Call your state veterinary lab, usually associated with your state veterinary school. Have testing done! There are very few drugs approved for use in poultry, and for meat birds, there are withdrawal times that will be a problem too. FARAD.org has drug information, approved or not, and withdrawal times, if you are in the USA.
I'm so sorry you are dealing with this!
Personally I wouldn't eat any sick animal, or any with unapproved drugs on board, and would need to know what's going on.
Mary

 

[Eggcessive]

In what state are you? If you have a body or if you lose another one, keep it cold on ice in a cooler or the fridge double wrapped in plastic garbage bags, and contact your state vet for a necropsy. That way you will get a diagnosis. Sorry that you are dealing with an illness. Here is a list of state vets:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

 

[Folly's place]

It will be the weekend, but you may still be able to get something done, on an emergency basis. Your state vet lab, or the nearest state vet lab where you live.
Mary

 

[Flockincrazy]

Hi - We have 15 layers of various breeds and 15 Freedom Rangers that are almost at slaughter weight. For the first time in years of raising chickens, we have a widespread respiratory illness. 3 chickens have already died. The symptoms are:

1. They sound like Darth Vader
2. They are low energy and the really sick ones sit still and reflexively open their mouths
3. I think they are trying to cough, but it is pitiful sounding.
4. stool is normal
5. food and water intake is normal
6. no weight loss, though the gains may have stopped
7. laying is definitely down a bit.
8. no visible mucous

We have been treating with VetRX as per the instructions, but have seen no improvement.

I have spent all day trying to get in touch with a poultry vet to no avail - they are either shut for covid, on holiday or won't treat large flocks.

Suggestions? My neighbor has some Sulfa Trimethropim 800mg for her horses that I am considering using in water and controlling intake to match g/kg limits for poultry. At this point, the birds are dying and I have no viable alternative unless your collective wisdom might offer up a suggestion!

AND: once we've treated, assuming the meat birds return to health, would you eat them? How long would you wait to slaughter if you would eat them?

Much appreciated.

Sounds like dust lung i lost a whole flock to it one yr not enough ventilation or room

 

[elehman]

Thank you all so much. I will be reaching out to our state vet school and local extension office tomorrow. No deaths today, thank goodness.