Bird Flu ?

[conquest780]

Well i bought 3 polish chickens and two died . The only symptom I saw was that they were sneezing. Now all of chicken are also sneezing. I hope its not bird flu. help before its too late!!!!!

 

[Eggcessive]

How old are the chickens? Infectious bronchitis, a virus, can affect 100% of the flock, and sneezing may be the most common symptom. It usually doesn't kill older birds, but young chicks can really be affected. Here is a list of common respiratory diseases, including avian flu, and symptoms: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

 

[conquest780]

I have a broody chicken with babies and they are fine but the older chicken are the one getting infected!!!! The sneezing is like screaming and then their voice goes down. They are more like screaming than sneezing.

 

[Eggcessive]

Is there any bloody mucus that is coming from the nose or mouth? They may sling it around. That would be a sign of ILT which is a virus and pretty serious. If not, then I would guess that you have infectious bronchitis. It usually runs it's course in 4-5 weeks, unless secondary infections happen.

 

[conquest780]

Yes, there is bloody mucus coming from the mouth. One chicken which I cared since it was a chick just died in front of my eyes. Two of my older chicken ( black cochin, sebright) are also infected. A broody chicken which had 4 babies now has two left.

 

[Eggcessive]

Avian influenza can also cause bleeding from mouth and nose. You may want to get your chickens tested. I would recommend culling birds with ILT, and disinfecting your premises. ILT will last in the environment for 6 weeks or more, so wait before getting more chickens. I'm sorry about your birds. It is a reportable disease in some places. Here is a good link about ILT: http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pou..._infectious_laryngotracheitis_in_poultry.html

 

[Eggcessive]

With avian influenza, there would be red or white spots on the legs and comb, also, besides the bloody mucus. Here is a link where you can find the contact info for your state vet for testing: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_dis_spec/poultry/participants.shtml

 

[conquest780]

All chickens dead. I am very sad. Going to buy more chicken next week. Will disinfect their cages and their free ranging area.

 

[conquest780]

How do I disinfect the whole area? I have one chicken left and going to get more on Saturday. Don't want to get them sick.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss. If you had ILT or infectious laryngotracheitis, it can stay in the environment for 6 weeks after cleaning and disinfecting the area with common disinfectants, especially if there is frozen manure. The soil cannot be disinfected. Droppings should be cleaned up. But I wouldn't recommend getting more chickens for at least 2 months. If you live in a warm environment this time of year, it may not be necessary to wait that long. The commercial disinfectants like oxine and others including 10% bleach should be enought to disinfect the coop and equipment.