Araucauna has puffy eyes and crusty beak

[Lochloosachicks]

My Araucauna Jesus has puffy eyes and stuff stuck to her beak which makes me think she has had a runny nose. Her behavior is fine, but I am currently treating some new 5 week old pullets that are separated in a different coop for some sneezing and watery eyes. I might be over-reacting bc I'm worried they will catch something from the new girls. I'm attaching a picture. She's about 17 weeks old.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Are you following bio security measures as you move between the birds you are treating and the flock this bird is in? If so, describe the steps you are taking. How far away is the coop with the sick birds?

 

[Lochloosachicks]

I am feeding and watering my healthy birds first then I'll take care of the new chicks and go directly inside after that so that I do not cross contaminate. They can get around the other coop when they free range. I didn't realize they were sick at first. They are in the coop I always put the babies/newbies in before introducing them to the big girls. The feed store assured me it was just allergies. I took one of them in anyway and the vet said she thought it was more bc they are all(the 5 week olds) showing symptoms, but she didn't think it was too serious.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi @Lochloosachicks

They could have a respiratory illness. Your vet or state lab could perform some testing for you to determine what illness you are dealing with. Mycoplasma, Infectious Bronchitis, Coryza and ILT are some of the more common ones.

For the eyes you can try flushing with saline and apply some Terramycin eye ointment or Vetericyn eye gel. Some people do treat with antibiotics as well, but they will only help with secondary infections. For most illnesses, sick, recovered and exposed birds (even those showing no symptoms) are generally considered carriers. Since you do have vet care, if need be, they can prescribe some meds for you if symptoms worsen or you can also try injectable Tylan50 which can be found at most feed stores.

Do the best you can to keep the mucous cleared away. Provide some poultry vitamins a few times a week and see that they are eating/drinking well.

I do recommend that you do keep them quarantined and practice bio-security to help reduce exposure. It would be wise to do some research/reading on different diseases and how they may impact your future flocks, especially if you are planning on breeding, raising/selling/giving away hatching eggs, chicks, started pullets, etc.


Common Poultry Diseases:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

Quarantine:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/12/quarantine-of-backyard-chickens-why-and.html

 

[Lochloosachicks]

Thank you for the helpful info! I will try flushing the eyes. My flock is really only for personal use, I'm just concerned about long term problems.