Can chickens get a cold?

[3harners]

Two of my 3 month old chickens, Charlotte, my large, fluffy Brahma, and Oreo, our Bantam Rooster seem to have developed a "cold." They appear fine, eating, running around, doing their free range thing and look healthy, however, their breathing sounds like they have a cold. I've just noticed this for the past 2 -3 days, none of my other chickens so far sound this way, but I worry that they could be getting sick. Can they get "colds?" Is there something I can buy to administer to them?

 

[Eggcessive]

I don't think chickens get colds. They can get respiratory diseases that are brought into flocks by older chickens from other farms and wild birds. I would watch them closely for swelling around the eyes and face, nasal discharge, sneezing, bubbles in eyes, and foul odor. Since they are a bit older chicks they might shake this off without treatment. Look at your older chickens for these symptoms, too. There are medications out there such as Duramycin and Tylan 50, but I wouldn't medicate unless the problem is serious. Dust and pollen can cause some sneezing.

 

[realsis]

Above post is correct. when my own flock came down with respiratory symptoms such as sneezing and coughing I immediately started treatment with Tylosin. Also known as Tylan50. Dose is for large birds 1/2 cc small birds 1/4 cc given once daily in the breast muscle for 5 days. Chick dose is one tenth of a cc given orally or in the back of neck once daily for 5 days. It cured my flock up very fast. Tylan is a excellent antibiotic for respiratory symptoms. I prefer injections over water soluble antibiotic because the dose is more consistent with the injection and not contingent on amount drank like with water soluble. Also it gets into the blood stream much faster. You can find Tylan50 and syringes at the local feed store for around 12 dollars. Do not worry that the bottle says for cattle and swine. Many many poultry owners including myself successfully treat their poultry with Tylan50. It packs a punch against respiratory illness. I choose to treat my flock immediately because they started to cough and I did not want it getting worse. It cured them all up. I hope this helps. Watch your birds and if symptoms worsen or go into a cough I would not hesitate to treat right away. Good luck and hope they feel better soon.

 

[earlybird10842]

I would also quarentine both the new and possibly sick birds.