Is their feed ration powdery? Powdery feed rations like crumbles can often cause irritation to the throat, making birds honk to clear their throat. How is the humidity in the coop? Is it well ventilated? if you suspect respiratory irritation, I keep Oxine AH sanitizer handy, and have done so for years. It can be used as a fine misting over birds on the roost at night, or in waterers. Here's some more updated info on Oxine uses (thanks seminole):
OXINE USES FOR THE POULTRY INDUSTRY (revised 3/7/08)
To get the full power of Oxine, we must retrieve the gas back from its stable salt. This is easily accomplished by simply lowering the ph of Oxine to approximately 2.2—2.5, this is activation. Activation can be accomplishing by using 2 methods:
1. hand mix the Oxine with citric acid, or
2. use an automated wall unit that activates the Oxine for larger volume
requirements (for example—supplying Oxine into the water system for the
whole poultry barn).
By activating Oxine you are increasing by 100% the pathogen killing power of Oxine. This is a necessary step to ensure that you are killing Avian Influenza, E.coli, and Salmonella, etc. Activation should be done in a well ventilated area; avoid breathing any fumes. A Moldex face mask, #2500n95, works well for activation.
DEFINITION OF ACTIVATED OXINE
1.
Activated Oxine simply means Oxine that has had an acid added to it.
2.
Activated Oxine CANNOT be stored until the appropriate amount of water has been added to it.
3.
After the water is added, this solution can be used for 7-10 days.
OXINE CONCENTRATION LEVELS
Concentrations Ounces per Gallon
5 ppm 0.032 fl. oz. use for water sanitation
200 ppm 1.25 fl. oz. use for removing bio-film,
and misting
500 ppm 3.50 fl. oz. use for surface and equipment sanitation.
Suggested Equipment List to Hand Activate Oxine
1.
measuring cup with ounce scale
2.
teaspoon
3.
tablespoon
4.
clean 5 gallon bucket
Remember, activated Oxine can be stored in a closed container, out of direct sunlight, for 7—10 days.
OXINE USES IN SURFACE DISINFECTING
1.
Measure out 3 ½ ounces of Oxine,
2.
Add a tablespoon of activator (citric acid),
3.
Stir this mixture and wait 5 minutes (it will turn yellow),
4.
IMMEDIATELY pour this mixture into 1 gallon of water.
You can use this mixture in hatcheries, wall surfaces, cages, etc. Oxine can be applied with a high pressure washer, backpack sprayer, etc. Oxine should be allowed to dry completely; this prolongs contact time to the surface aiding in the destruction of pathogens. Oxine should never be rinsed; it should be applied and allowed to dry.
Rule of Thumb: ratio of 1 ounce of activator to 10 fluid ounces of Oxine.
OXINE USED IN POULTRY WATERING SYSTEM
Oxine is EPA approved for water sanitation for human and poultry consumption. In populated barns make a stock solution* by using 3 to 5 ounces of activated Oxine to 1 gallon of water that will be injected into the watering system. This can be done by using a medicator set at 1 ounce to 128 gallons of water. Oxine treated water kills water borne pathogens and eliminates bio-film (refer to instructions for removal of bio-film). Oxine used continuously through the watering system has consistently shown that it maintains the health and production of broilers, turkeys and laying hens.
*A stock solution is a highly concentrated mixture of activated Oxine. This mixture must be diluted to obtain the proper parts per million (ppm). This is accomplished by running the stock solution through a proportional type pump or a medicator set at 1 ounce to 128 gallons of water to obtain the desired ppm. Stock solutions are used for water sanitation purposes.
MISTING OXINE OVER POULTRY
1.
Measure out 1 ¼ ounces of Oxine,
2.
Add 1 teaspoon of activator (citric acid),
3.
Stir this mixture and wait for 5 minutes (it will turn yellow),
4.
IMMEDIATELY pour this mixture into 1 gallon of water.
All ages of poultry can be misted with a solution of 200 ppm (1 ¼ ounces of Oxine to 1 gallon of water). It is recommended to routinely mist for airborne microbes and surface pathogens. A backpack mister, a thermo fogger, or a whole barn misting system can be used for misting. It is recommended that the mist be directed into the cages or at the level of the birds so that they breathe in the mist. Mist the poultry facility until there is a goodly amount of visible fog. This aids in upper respiratory problems and kills surface pathogens.
DRJ Animal Health, LLC 515-577-9979
I regularly supplement water with vitamins, minerals, and probiotics. The immune system begins in the bird's digestive system. An adequate vitamin C content assists in the absorption of many other nutrients as well as possessing antioxidant power. Avian Super Pack is an excellent quality vitamin mineral supplement and a little goes a long way (1/4 tsp per gallon of water). Probios dispersible powder also serves the digestive system with necessary lactic acid bacteria. This is beneficial for absorption and practical purposes versus the food ingredients that must be sought and added to an already well formulated feed. And it is affordable. Of course, if you are dealing with a viral problem, antibiotics must be used, and birds exhibiting symptoms should be separated from birds not showing symptoms. I hope it is not a viral problem.
