Chickens with a runny nose.....

[DementedHam]

For about a week now, I have noticed that my birds have been getting sick. It started with a miniature rooster sneezing more frequently than a chicken would. Later, I began to be able to hear him breathing because there seemed to be a build up of mucus. Now he still has the two prior problems and a runny nose. I've noticed other chickens beginning to "catch" this disease too. I read the sticky about how sometimes dust can get them sick and cause breathing problems but I don't think it is that. There are no poultry vets here where I live (and I live where owning chickens in a residential area is illegal so.....) a vet wouldn't help me much.

What could it be and how can I cure it? Can it be cured? The rooster that began the whole sickness is now to the point where he can BARELY breathe and I think I will have to ask my dad to put him down because he is suffering quite badly, but may also be contaminating my flock. Please help!

 

[bheila]

Does the mucus have a bad odor? I just went through something similar to this and my chickens had Coryza. The odor is a dead give away. I hope yours don't have it. You can look up the symptoms for it.

 

[DementedHam]

Thank you for responding, I checked my coop again today and it is spreading.

Their breath DOES have a smell, there is a tinge of either rotting or stinky fish scent to their breath, something like that that makes their breath smell bad. The two that I believe have not yet been "infected" have normal, scentless chicken breath. I have also began hearing in the nelwy sick chickens a "gurgling" breathing sound like a person makes when sick and has a mucusy nose.

How can I cure it? What can I buy? I do not want it to get too bad that I have to put any of them down.

 

[Msbear]

You need to start them on medication immediately. This CAN and will kill birds. Do a search and type in "cyroza cure" There are tons of posts on it. I would say sulmet which is a sulfer-based drug you can add to the water.

Hopefully, some with some more experience will pipe in. Go to the feed store or tractor supply and ask. Someone will know...an GO TODAY!!!

 

[DementedHam]

Thanks for the responses. I did research and my chickens DO have Coryza. The little rooster that began the epidemic died today. It was my sister's and she was very sad. I've been having trouble finding a local feed store that has antibiotics or drugs for Coryza. I'm looking online but if anyone knows where I can find a distributer I would really appreciate it.

 

[lotzahenz]

Ham,

Try your local feed supplier. Here we have Southern States and Tractor Supply and various local feed stores. I have been searching today myself for antibiotics and it is hard to find any. Our local BIG pet store chain did NOT have any. Yours might if it has birds. Do a Google search and you should find lots of names for drugs that will work. Good luck to you! Especially on Sunday.

OOPS, just now re-read your post. It is really hard to find on the weekends! My vet had to order meds, which still takes a few days. Maybe someone else has a source that can overnight it to you. Best of luck.