Caninewild
In the Brooder
- Mar 2, 2021
- 6
- 3
- 11
Ok so problem is twofold- firstly, I have three hens, production browns of some kind, roughly a year old. Several weeks ago we had a particularly bad cold spell and they developed some mild sneezing type symptoms. One has a bit of a runny nose, she and the rest all sneeze a bit, and have a little respiratory noise but do not sound especially uncomfortable in that regard. Aside from some I believe unrelated feather picking behavior that I'm trying to resolve, they seem fairly normal. They eat and drink, their laying has been only slightly slowed (it's winter, so that's not that weird), poops look normal etc. They're in a blocked off portion of a large shed with a boxed in area with a heat lamp (we get very extreme cold), and an open roofed area to scratch around in. They have a thick layer of straw and wood shavings. The shed is well ventilated- there's very little odor, and what there is can largely be blamed on the stray cats that come in to sleep in the straw.
I'd really like to hear opinions on what this may be, and what I might do to help them. I feel terrible that I spent the last while thinking it was a simple 'cold' and thought little of it. Now reading here it seems that's not the case. (I've read some descriptions of different illnesses and tbh I'm a little lost- I've seen the links, I'm more after personal opinion here)
Unfortunately I'm in rural Canada- the closest vet won't treat chickens, and we cannot buy meds and antibiotics without prescription here.
Does this sound like something that should resolve itself? Can I help it along with home remedies or over the counter stuff?
My second related problem is that I was intending to get a half dozen chicks in three weeks, as I'd like to get into heritage breeds rather than the poor browns that lay themselves to death in a couple years. Now with the new realization of illness, I don't know how good an idea this is! Obviously, the chicks wouldn't be near them for quite some time and I'd be very careful of contamination, but would they be in danger later? Would vaccinations take care of them getting sick from my current hens assuming they'd remain carriers of whatever it is?
I suspect they may have been exposed from something at a local bird sanctuary my roommate and I volunteer at unfortunately, brought in on our shoes or something. I'm sorry to say the idea hadn't occurred to me. Bio-security will be high on my priority list from now on, but with numerous stray cats and uncaring roommates I'm feeling a bit of despair at the moment :/
I'd really like to hear opinions on what this may be, and what I might do to help them. I feel terrible that I spent the last while thinking it was a simple 'cold' and thought little of it. Now reading here it seems that's not the case. (I've read some descriptions of different illnesses and tbh I'm a little lost- I've seen the links, I'm more after personal opinion here)
Unfortunately I'm in rural Canada- the closest vet won't treat chickens, and we cannot buy meds and antibiotics without prescription here.
Does this sound like something that should resolve itself? Can I help it along with home remedies or over the counter stuff?
My second related problem is that I was intending to get a half dozen chicks in three weeks, as I'd like to get into heritage breeds rather than the poor browns that lay themselves to death in a couple years. Now with the new realization of illness, I don't know how good an idea this is! Obviously, the chicks wouldn't be near them for quite some time and I'd be very careful of contamination, but would they be in danger later? Would vaccinations take care of them getting sick from my current hens assuming they'd remain carriers of whatever it is?
I suspect they may have been exposed from something at a local bird sanctuary my roommate and I volunteer at unfortunately, brought in on our shoes or something. I'm sorry to say the idea hadn't occurred to me. Bio-security will be high on my priority list from now on, but with numerous stray cats and uncaring roommates I'm feeling a bit of despair at the moment :/