4 month old pullet with runny nose and congestion.

[Peach2u]

I have never had sick chickens in 3 years, so I am a noob. I have some 4 month old pullets. 2 days ago I was checking my flock as always do in the dusk just before bed. I saw one of the young one sitting by itself. I pick it up and see yellow snot in the nose and 1 eye is closed. It was breathing heavy too sounded like a coffee pot. I took her inside in a sick cage. I gave her fresh water with the yellow powder mixed with it. An antibotic off the shelf I've use for new shipped chicks. She seems to be getting a little better but still has 1 eye closed and nose is clogged. Tonight I found another pullet same age same hatch mate sick same thing going on. I put it in with the other chicken. I have had them since day 1 and they free range in the day get locked up at night. What is my next step? Do I buy a lot of the yellow stuff and water all my chickens? Do I call up a local guy i know to give them a shot of antibotic? I don't want to lose them. Only the BCM are getting sick. The EE's I hatched are the same age. I did see a mite on one of my hens vent this week. I planned this weekend to dust and de-worm the flock. That is always fun! But if I have sick birds I don't want to make it worse. Any guess as to what I'm fighting and what to use to get rid of it. I see a scrub down of the coop with bleach coming up soon.

 

[CMV]

If it is what I think it is, you are not going to get rid of it. Chickens do not get colds. What they get are respiratory infections that can be treated, but often come back and also render the affected bird a carrier for life.

It is likely too late to make a difference, but separate any sick birds from the flock. You will need to treat them with a 3 day course of Tylan 50 injectable. This will treat their symptoms now. They are still sick even if they are no longer symptomatic, so keep them separate.

Contact your county extension agent or state lab. They can help you get in contact with someone to get your flock tested. You need to know what you are dealing with so you can make an informed decision. If your birds are carrying CRD, which is likely based on their symptoms, you are going to need to decide if you want to close your flock permanently or cull the lot.

Caring for a sick flock is very expensive and time consuming. It takes all the joy out of having poultry. Some folks love their birds enough that they will care for them for the rest of their lives, but others love their birds so much that they can't watch them suffer so they opt to cull. This is likely a decision that you are going to have to make.

Good luck.