Bantam Health Question

[GA Homesteader]

I added a Bantam to my flock about a month ago. She is a black breasted red old english game hen. I am not too sure of her age. I would assume she is at least about a year if not a little less. I have not seen/notice her lay yet.

Her comb is very small and pretty pale. The area around her eyes is pale as well. Like a very faint light pink. It also looks dry. Three weeks ago she was sneezing and I noticed some clear liquid coming from her nose. I isolated her immediately and watched/listened for other symptoms. It sounded like she was congested every time she breathed out...so I decided to treat her with Tylan for 5 days. I rejoined her with the flock and noticed she was still sneezing...just randomly....inside the coop at night and sometimes during the day. I have not seen any more clear liquid coming from her nostril but last night I did remove some white stuff from her eyes and she sounded a little congested in the nostrils when breathing out. No rattling in her chest area. I thought coryza but the gunk did not stink and it was thick, like snot. It was not foamy or bubbly. I don't want to isolate her if it is just something small but then again I don't want to infect my whole flock.

We do the deep litter method for the winter and I move the litter around every other day (mid-day) after the girls and boy have left the coop. Great ventilation, just deep cleaned the entire coop walls and roosting boards...etc etc. Does this sound like a crazy respiratory illness or can a chicken have allergies? I just wanted a second opinion to what I may already be thinking. Oh, feed is new country organics.

Chicken vet is over an hour away. If Tylan didn't work...what's next?

PS: I know I am not supposed to play vet or assume an illness and just treat...I was desperate...cause she is my most favorite chicken ever!

I fully believe in antibiotic resistance and try to avoid it when I can. Thank you Chicken Friends!

P.S.S.: I did purchase other chicks from this person (at the same time) who sold me Sweetie Pie (the chick in question) and they are all normal and healthy.

 

[SilkieNation]

Well - it's hard to say, but if she's your favorite chicken ever - I'd pack a lunch and haul her to the avian vet. Winter's just about here and if she's sick, she's going to have a hard time of it, and well, you know...

 

[Eggcessive]

I would try to get her tested for mycoplasma (MG) and infectious bronchitis. She can cause your whole flock to be carriers if it is one of those or another chronic disease. It is easy for them to have more than one disease if it is complicated by a secondary infection. If she came from the same place as all of your chickens, they could all be carriers any way. I would contact the state vet or local agricultural or county extension agent for info about testing. Here is a link for the state vets:
http://www.usaha.org/Portals/6/StateAnimalHealthOfficials.pdf

 

[coconut120000]

I have heard of a disease called Brooder Pneumonia, I haven't look into it that much but some of the symptoms it listed sounded what your chicken has. It also said its easier for younger chickens to get it and you mentioned her being younger. You should check it out and maybe look into what its caused by and how to treat it. Hope this helps, good luck.

 

[Eggcessive]

I have heard of a disease called Brooder Pneumonia, I haven't look into it that much but some of the symptoms it listed sounded what your chicken has. It also said its easier for younger chickens to get it and you mentioned her being younger. You should check it out and maybe look into what its caused by and how to treat it. Hope this helps, good luck.

Actually brooder pneumonia is a good thought, is one of the common respiratory diseases, and is called aspergillosis from mold. It can infect all parts of the respiratory system, as well as other parts of the body and brain. The symptoms are silent gasping and increased thirst, but aspergillosis can be a secondary infection of bronchitis, MG, and other diseases, or a disease in of itself. Sneezing, runny nose, and eye drainage sound more like bacterial or viral symptoms (MG, IB, ILT, coryza.) Here is a good link to read about those and other common diseases: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044