Avian flu

[DonnaS]

I have lost 2 hens in 10 days. I heard one of them coughing and sneezing and wheezing a few days ago but all the gens acted perky so I couldn't pinpoint to isolate.
Is there anything I can do? Will I have to destroy the whole flock? 21 chickens now.

 

[Eggcessive]

Where are you located? What have been all of the symptoms that you have seen? Avian influenza is spreading this year, but your birds could have a respiratory disease instead. MG, coryza, ILT, and infectious bronchitis are some of the mo st common ones. If you have a body or lose another, contact your state vet today and ask about getting testing or a necropsy done. Here is a list of state vets:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

Have you seen bubbles or foam in an eye, or swelling of an eyelid or the face? Any other symptoms? Tylan 50 which can be given orally, or Tylosin powder in the water can be used to treat MG.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I have lost 2 hens in 10 days. I heard one of them coughing and sneezing and wheezing a few days ago but all the gens acted perky so I couldn't pinpoint to isolate.
Is there anything I can do? Will I have to destroy the whole flock? 21 chickens now.

Honestly, with a mortality rate that low, HPAI would not be high on my list of likely causes of your sudden poultry deaths. @Eggcessive offers good advice, above. If one of the birds just dies (that is, overnight or this AM), strongly suggest you contact your state lab to arrange a Necropsy - which they may well do for free, and get a definative diagnosis.

 

[DonnaS]

Where are you located? What have been all of the symptoms that you have seen? Avian influenza is spreading this year, but your birds could have a respiratory disease instead. MG, coryza, ILT, and infectious bronchitis are some of the mo st common ones. If you have a body or lose another, contact your state vet today and ask about getting testing or a necropsy done. Here is a list of state vets:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

Have you seen bubbles or foam in an eye, or swelling of an eyelid or the face? Any other symptoms? Tylan 50 which can be given orally, or Tylosin powder in the water can be used to treat MG.

Thank you for getting back to me. I haven't noticed any changes around the eyes. I'll have to wait and see about the necropsy. But I think I can get some antibiotic for them .

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Thank you for getting back to me. I haven't noticed any changes around the eyes. I'll have to wait and see about the necropsy. But I think I can get some antibiotic for them .

Don't give antibiotics unless you know the right one to use and use it the entire time line

 

[Redbrew]

Very recent article on very recent bird flu outbreak in my area:
https://www.boisestatepublicradio.o...ns-heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-bird-flu

Your mortality rate sounds very low if only 2 birds in ten days, but I'm so sorry for your loss! Focus your worry on thorough health checks of all your birds and offer extra supportive measures; Some ideas .... check for mites/lice, treat coops for mites/lice/mice, check for messy butts, remove old winter bedding, clean out nest boxes, clean with soap and hot water all feeders and waterers, clean your bird's feet with warm soapy water and a toothbrush, rake and clean out any debri from floors or runs, throw a ton of fresh dried herbs every where (oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary) including nest boxes, feed, etc., and observe closely each bird for a solid 5 minutes to "see" any potential health symptom you might be missing. If you think you hear a sneeze, you probably do. When a chicken is sick enough to be lethargic *and* has respiratory symptoms, they are sick enough to be treated like a severe illness or emergency. Personal opinion....don't hesitate to use injectible antibiotic on a chicken that is lethargic, has stopped eating/caring for itself and has respiratory symptoms. Obviously, do some research, dose appropriately, and do as much supportive care as you can. I have lost way too many chickens because I hesitated, lost some that I was too late to treat and some that no treatment would have saved... but saved quite a few with quick and adequate treatment, which has almost always included injectible antibiotic used according to veterinarian recommendations.

The bird flu thing is super scary, but we can face it with good information from reliable sources (like the above article) and doing the best we can in caring for our birds. Best of luck!

 

[PNWskye]

Thank you for getting back to me. I haven't noticed any changes around the eyes. I'll have to wait and see about the necropsy. But I think I can get some antibiotic for them .

Did you find out what happened?