A Whole Flock Of Sick Chickens :/

[WRVgirl]

So, even if I treat the flock, they're always going to have the illness?
And if I ever put my Orphingtons out, they'll eventually transmit the disease?

Would it be worth it, or should I consider starting over with a sterilized coop?

I'm not trying to sound heartless, I'm just trying to be realistic about this :/ and it all sucks.

 

[Nutz245]

Sorry you are having a bad first experience WRVgirl but it's not usually like that.

I totally agree with Lizard Feet on the Tylan 200 from TSC and searching the forums for more info. It's there I'm sure. I wish I knew the forums better to give you a link. You can even find how to give them the injection and the proper amount.
You are running out of time with these birds and you need to do something like ASAP. I would also opt for some scrambled eggs, watermelon and some pedilyte or poweraid.
There is a good chance the OPs are going to get infected. Keep a close eye on them and I personally would not hesitate to start treating them at the first sign they are infected.

All the best to you and your flock.

 

[WRVgirl]

Jeez Louise this is a nightmare, I'll start treating them tomorrow but it's 11 o'clock so I don't think I can start tonight :/

 

[Suzierd]

If you decide to treat you can give the Tylan 50 orally if you don't want to give shots, the dose is 1/4 cc for Bantum, 1/2cc for standard sized for five days. You can also get Tylan Soluable to put in their water 1 teaspoon per gallon made new daily.
If your thinking to cull I would get the test done to make sure it's not something else that's causing Respitatory symptoms like mold (bad hay, straw?) shavings like cedar or over load of worms https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...yza-or-crd-parasites-are-rampant#post_7474233

 

[Betty Gilbert]

this is heart breaking. I have sick chickens too! I brought home a rooster, and he has made them all coughy and sneezy w swollen little heads. I went to tractor supply and bought Duramycin-10 just started using it this morning. I am praying it works. Just feel so bad that my girls were so healthy and I had to bring home this rooster. I have 9 week old orpingtons and they are unaffected by any of it, but they did drink from the same water and food before I moved them out yesterday into another pin. Should I expect them to be sickly too, and treat them as well! Just so upset about this whole ordeal! Please any advice is welcome!

 

[Fluffychicky]

this is heart breaking. I have sick chickens too! I brought home a rooster, and he has made them all coughy and sneezy w swollen little heads. I went to tractor supply and bought Duramycin-10 just started using it this morning. I am praying it works. Just feel so bad that my girls were so healthy and I had to bring home this rooster. I have 9 week old orpingtons and they are unaffected by any of it, but they did drink from the same water and food before I moved them out yesterday into another pin. Should I expect them to be sickly too, and treat them as well! Just so upset about this whole ordeal! Please any advice is welcome!

I am in the exact same boat, first time chicken owner with a flock with the same symptoms I'm so depressed I brought sickness into my coop because I brought home a seemingly well flea market chicken and didn't separate her long enough. now over the course of 5 days, 2 chickens have died one can't open her eyes to eat her little cheeks are so swollen and 2 others have bad coughs/sneezes. All the others are either lethargic or have runny noses and I don't have enough room in my sick bay for them all! So I have the worst ones in the sick chicken pen in my garage and will be going to the vet. But everything I've read has me convinced I'm about to lose my whole flock....I'm beyond sad, so much work, time, money, and love is all going up in smoke.

 

[Betty Gilbert]

It was so hard for me too! I am so sorry for what you are going through, and know exactly how you feel! We didn't lose any on their own, but did end up culling the extremely sickly ones, and have been treating the orps still...which did end up coming down w some symptoms. Just sad that now I have to have a closed flock, and not bring any more in. Its a hard choice to make, but it is all in or all out! Very sad!!! The little Orpingtons luckily being only 10 weeks old their symtoms were quite minor, but still they are carriers and the sickness could flare up down the road! I have treated them with the Duramycin 10 tetracycline that you mix w water. I didn't have much luck with it in the water so have just been putting the electolytes and vitamins in their water. The Duramycin I have found to work better if I mix 1/8 of a tsp in small amount of water to dilute then add some milk to it in a bowl, and small pieces of bread...sometimes I even scramble eggs as the protein is very good for them when theyre sick from everything I've read. They still sneeze a little, but the facial swelling is gone. I don't know if this helps as you've already lost some birds, but worth a try. For very sick ones I would probably separate if you can, and maybe give them the tylan 50 injectable in their breast that a lot of other chicken owners I see use! I wish you the best of luck, and will be praying for you and your babies.

 

[Fluffychicky]

Thank you for the prayers, the vet did tests and I will find out for certain in a few days but he told me he believes they have ILT with possibly something else and said they will more than likely all be carriers for life but that we can treat the secondary infection to keep them relatively happy. My parents will be taking 12 out of the 16 and keep them until they stop laying only keeping about 3 after that as pets. The remaining 4 will be put down by someone I trust to do well with that task. I am heartbroken my starter flock is leaving me but to be honest the timing for raising chickens was about to become complicated because I will be moving within the year and it will take time and finances to build a new/better coop. So everything happens for a reason and my precious chooks taught me very valuable lessons about raising poultry. I am happy you choose to keep a closed flock, it's an extremely tough choice but it's also very kind. They will be heartwarming pets and good company, I wish I had the means and nerves to keep a special needs flock like that. I am sorry for your loses but at least you will have your Orp girls to keep you smiling!