Chicken coughing? How to treat it?

[marshmallowpeeps]

Hi
I have just been given several adult laying hens, and these are my first experience with chickens. We noticed that one of them has been coughing, or at least it seems like that's what she's doing. Since we're so new at this, I don't really know what to look for as far as problems are concerned. The guy at the feed store says to give them antibiotics in their water for a week, and of course not eat the eggs at that time.

Here's my questions: Is it possible to treat the chicken(s) in a more natural way, without antibiotics? And also, if we did have to use the antibiotics on the coughing one, should we also medicate them all as a precaution?

Any suggestions? Thanks!!!!

 

[lovemychix]

Tbs. of Apple cider vinegar in a gallon of water. Use a plastic one. Add a couple cloves of garlic. Best rememdy I know. Good luck.