Bantam Chicken—To Cull or Not to Cull

[Stoney Brooke Farms]

Hello, all!
I have a 7-8 month old bantam pullet. Her brother passed away three weeks ago. I think his issue was mites. I could be wrong, but I do know that he had a severe case (rain has NOT let up in months here in Alabama). The pullet showed signs of lethargy very soon after the rooster died. I checked her and she had mites as well.
I dusted her (and the entire coop) with DE and isolated her.
She has been in isolation for over two weeks. The mites are gone, but she has had severe respiratory issues—gasping for air, swollen skin below the eye, lethargy, wheezing noises.....I have been expecting her to die any minute. But, in the past two days, she is showing signs of vast improvement.
My issue is this—I don’t know what has caused the respiratory issue. I don’t know if when I was syringing her fluids I possibly caused some issue or if this is a contagious thing that can spread to the rest of the flock if I reintroduce her. Or, was this respiratory issue caused by the mites???
I have searched and searched and can’t come up with a definitive answer.
I would be so grateful for some help here.....I don’t want to cull her. But I don’t want to infect the rest of the flock, either. I am hoping someone who has a lot more experience than I do has been here and can help...
Thanks!!!!
Lori

 

[Sobek]

I say this with less confidence than some of the more knowledgeable people butat I know this to be true.... If a chicken has a heavy infestation it can lead to stress causing further problems heath wise
swollen bumps below the eyes? My hen died from fowl pox a long time ago. They develop lesions like that all around their face

 

[Stoney Brooke Farms]

Ok. Thanks. So, in your expierience, she might be ok to add back if she survives.....?

 

[Sobek]

Ok. Thanks. So, I’m your expierience, she might be ok to add back if she survives.....?

yes as long as she's feeling better. just keep an eye out for her and make sure she's not just "hiding her illness" I usually add organic apple cider vinegar to my chickens water. Not too much. That and vitamins just to keep their wellness up.

 

[Sobek]

Did it look like fowl pox at all??

 

[Mysimplewyominglife]

I have dealt with mite they are a pain in the back side (first year was fine second year a nightmare) I to had a hen (one of my favs actually) had a issue like what your describing after her fighting mites.

I basically just googled all of her issues and came to coryza which while it can be treated with antibiotics that does not cure them and they still carry it and could spread it. I also read some place that even if you give a chicken a vaccine agaist it it does not mean it will protect it and it could still get it. So I personally would not put her back with the flock unless a vet cleared her of having coryza which means tests and if you don't have the money (which I did not so I culled her) you might have to cull her if she is looking more like a coryza issue.

 

[Stoney Brooke Farms]

Did it look like fowl pox at all??

I just don’t know what fowl pox looks like.....I don’t think so....the skin under her eye is just puffy. Not her eye itself. And I don’t see any other spots.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have a 7-8 month old bantam pullet. Her brother passed away three weeks ago. I think his issue was mites. I could be wrong, but I do know that he had a severe case

pullet showed signs of lethargy very soon after the rooster died. I checked her and she had mites as well.
I dusted her (and the entire coop) with DE and isolated her.

The mites are gone, but she has had severe respiratory issues—gasping for air, swollen skin below the eye, lethargy, wheezing noises

I don’t know what has caused the respiratory issue. I don’t know if when I was syringing her fluids I possibly caused some issue or if this is a contagious thing that can spread to the rest of the flock if I reintroduce her. Or, was this respiratory issue caused by the mites???

Hi @Stoney Brooke Farms Welcome To BYC

I'm sorry to hear you lost your cockerel.

Can you posts some photos of your pullet?
How long have you had the pullet?

From your description, it sounds like she has a respiratory illness - Mycoplasma, Infectious Bronchitis, ILT and Infectious Coryza are some of the more common diseases.
Most respiratory diseases make birds and those exposed carriers. If the other chickens have been around her they are already exposed. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

If she is getting a little better on her own that is good. Sometimes an antibiotic can be used to treat secondary infections, if she is not improving, then consider treating her.
Tylan50 can be found at feed stores like Tractor Supply.

For the mite infestation, I would recommend that you treat her with a Permethrin based poultry spray or dust. DE is not that effective and is a respiratory irritant.

Look forward to your photos and more information.

 

[Stoney Brooke Farms]

Thank you for your welcome! I am happy to be a part of this wonderful tribe of chicken owners!
Any improvement she has made has been from natural remedies (oregano, ACV, essential oils, etc). She is better than she was, as she is not gasping for air like she was last week.
I have had her since she was a week old. I got her mom and four chicks last summer.
She is very wobbly when she walks (which isn’t much at all). She strains to “go to the bathroom” and seems to be uncomfortable at that time. She shivers a good bit, I don’t know if that’s from being cold or from her illness—she’s inside the house and it is almost 70 or above most times.
I am considering calling a vet to see the cost of these tests, but I’m afraid of what they are going to say about that matter.....
I will add a photo of her eye swelling.
Thanks for everyone’s help!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I would say she has a respiratory disease. It's hard to tell, but are there bubbles in the eyes too?
She does have facial swelling too.
You can try the Tylan50 to see if that helps, dosage is .25ml per pound of weight given orally 3 times a day for 5 days.

Do keep in mind that respiratory illnesses makes the bird a carrier even if symptoms go away. They can be transmitted to other birds. You need to consider your goals. Most people that do keep birds with respiratory illness keep a closed flock - they don't sell or give away hatching eggs, chicks or youngsters/adults.

If you have vet care that is always best.