Apple Cider Vinegar for Respiratory infection?

[LaurasLorps]

I have a week old chick that I think might have a respiratory infection. She eats, drinks and poops very well, and even runs around her little box and jumps up on the sides to perch (she quarantined right now). Best I can tell, she is about a week old. Problem is she keeps sneezing and wheezing and has a little bit of discharge from her nasal area.

I am wondering if giving her some ACV 2-3 times a day from a dropper would help. I have read that ACV can keep respiratory systems healthy, but will it help if the chick is already sick? I've also been putting a little dab of Vicks on her beak and that seems to help her breathe a little easier.

I have read about several livestock antibiotics that can help respiratory infections, but our farm supply store is a ways away and our car will be in the shop most of the week. Are there any other things that I might have around the house or could get at Walgreen that would help her?

 

[TwoCrows]

Apple Cider Vinegar is an anti bacterial, anti fungal and balances the acid in the body. It is a wonderful thing to give for maintenace, however I dont' think it will cure your baby of anything, however it couldn't hurt.

Put 1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar in one quart of water and feed it to all your chicks. It will do them all good. As far as curing the baby, it probably really coud use antibacterial meds. You could always try ordering something on line here and have it shipped over night if you can't get to your feed store. Be careful with the vicks also as you dont' know how much could be toxic to such a tiny bird. Good luck with your babies.

 

[Anianna]

I agree that ACV is good for general health and help treating certain conditions, but it won't cure a respiratory infection. Here is information on respiratory infections from the first link in my signature:

Respiratory Illness

See here for comprehensive information from the University of Florida regarding respiratory illness in poultry. This site from the American Poultry Association also provides information on respiratory illness in poultry.

Oxine – without activator! Use as disinfectant or in humidifier/fogger to treat respiratory illness. Use to clean coop surfaces after pest infestations such as mites and lice. Add to water to discourage slime growth. Can be used with activator to thoroughly disinfect EMPTY animal houses (do NOT use activated Oxine around animals). See this link for more.

Humidifier or fogger – for treating respiratory illness with Oxine.

Duramycin-10 (tetracycline hydrochloride) – broad spectrum antibiotics for use in chickens and other livestock. See the drug label information for dosage and usage information. When antibiotic treatment is complete, feed plain yogurt or buttermilk to restore good gut flora.

Tylan 50 – labeled for cattle or swine – use to treat bacterial respiratory infections such as coryza or mycoplasma. Dosage is 1/2 – 1 cc per chicken. When antibiotic treatment is complete, feed plain yogurt or buttermilk to restore good gut flora.

 

[HenPenny]

You need to use the apple cider vinegar with mother for the full anti bacterial benifets.

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
Do NOT give her ACV, not for a week old chick. ACV is an acidifier which helps in calcium absorption and lower gut PH to help with bacterial issues. You do not want to upset the bacterial gut flora in a growing and developing chick, the chick cant handle it. You dont want additional calcium absorption neither, when chicks (pullets) reach egg laying age at about 20 weeks....then yes, you can add ACV in their water, 1-2 tablespoons per gallon of water.
As for the sneezing and wheezing...is it possible she accidently snorted a feed crumble in a nostril causing her to act this way? Or some other environmental issue causing the nasal discharge, sneezing/wheezing? Antibiotics use should be an absolute last resort. The problem your going to run into is that if it is a chronic respiratory disease (CRD), your chick will remain a carrier and if reintroduced with your other chicks, will infect them as well. You will have to keep her seperated and practice strict biosecurity measures. Antibiotics will only mask the symptoms but not cure the disease. Hopefully it's an environmental problem, if not, I would cull the chick to prevent risking infecting the others. If you decide to treat the chick with antibiotics, I recommend you purchase tylan 50 injectable. Use a syringe and draw 1/10cc and give it to the chick orally once a day for 5-7 days. You should see improvement in 3-4 days. Do not add anything in the chicks water at all. Remember, if you decide to keep her, dont reintroduce her to the others or you'll be treating them as well. Good luck.