Chicken with a Cold

[feather leg farms]

I have a little chicken that I bought at a sale. I have her in a cage by herself. She, from everything I have read, has a cold. I have been told to use Vet RX on a Q-tip in the roof of her mouth or simply use vinegar. I read to use 1 tsp to 1 L of water. This should be her only drinking water. Does everyone agree with one of these solutions? Any other suggestions?

 

[speckledhen]

Actually, chickens do not get colds like we think of colds. They get diseases that, even if you rid them of their symptoms, will make them carriers for life, able to infect other birds. Without knowing if it's viral or bacterial, it's hard to know how to treat it. My personal policy is not to ever treat respiratory things, but to cull. The purpose of the quarantine period is so you can know if the newly acquired bird is ill and not put it with your flock.
Vet Rx may help them breathe, but it does not cure anything. Organic apple cider vinegar with mother of vinegar in it (sediment) is good as an immune booster, but also will not cure anything.

 

[thewarriorchild]

I agree with speckled hen of course but what are the symptoms?

 

[speckledhen]

Yes, it would help to know what symptoms she has. Whenever a bird is ill, the same protocols apply: separate from all others, provide supportive care and observe for new symptoms or subsiding symptoms, etc.

 

[JennsPeeps]

To be very blunt, this is a bird who should not ever, ever be integrated into your flock. She will infect your other birds with whatever respiratory aiment that has infected her, resulting in a higher incidence of death and reducing the laying rates.

It would be best to cull her.

 

[speckledhen]

I hesitated to say it because I get lambasted for it all the time, but I agree with Jenn, she should be culled and never allowed in your flock if she is showing "cold" symptoms. That is what quarantine is for, to protect your flock, not try to cure the bird in question.

 

[Katy]

I agree with Jenn and Cyn....you should cull her.