Chronic respiratory illness

[NewChickenFriend]

We got 2 hens off Facebook and didn't realize they were sick until we got them home. They had a respiratory infection with sneezing, snotty noses and gurgling lungs. Our vet prescribed 10mm of SMZ twice daily which we've administered for 1.5months now. They have improved drastically and seem quite well except for still having a small amount of nasal discharge. I see the clear liquid like once a day and if I press on their sinuses more come out. My vet doesn't want to do more antibiotics and wants me to flush their sinuses with saline solution but she didn't really show me how. She said just squeeze it in their noses and it will come out their mouths. The internet has freaked me about about doing this bc I could drown them.

I'm tired of keeping them separate and dont know that I can do the nasal flush alone.. What do y'all recommend? How dangerous is it to put them with the rest of our flock and just let it be?

 

[arianna7]

under no circumstances would i put them with the rest of the flock, most respiratory illnesses in birds are either serious illnesses or the cause could be change in environment for example, bedding and/or dandruff, i wouldn't recommend anti-biotics without a picture or video but i would do the rinse and see if that helps and maybe Tylosin to start treatment for a possible respiratory infection. Again, definitely separate them from your flock, or you will be dealing with this times a lot.

 

[SquawksALOT]

Same. Shipped a Facebook pullet $$ ... sick on arrival. Sneezing, crackle in chest and labored breathing. Somewhat active and very friendly. The bangs and feet feathers were trimmed on arrival which I thought odd. We gave her garlic water and scrambled eggs with thyme, oregano and basil. Perked up but still respiratory distress. My guess is its MG or IBV... thank god we quarantine all new arrivals.

!!!I AM SO MAD ABOUT THIS!!!!!

 

[NewChickenFriend]

under no circumstances would i put them with the rest of the flock, most respiratory illnesses in birds are either serious illnesses or the cause could be change in environment for example, bedding and/or dandruff, i wouldn't recommend anti-biotics without a picture or video but i would do the rinse and see if that helps and maybe Tylosin to start treatment for a possible respiratory infection. Again, definitely separate them from your flock, or you will be dealing with this times a lot.

Thank you, do you have any advice on how to do the rise? any videos or description?

 

[NewChickenFriend]

Same. Shipped a Facebook pullet $$ ... sick on arrival. Sneezing, crackle in chest and labored breathing. Somewhat active and very friendly. The bangs and feet feathers were trimmed on arrival which I thought odd. We gave her garlic water and scrambled eggs with thyme, oregano and basil. Perked up but still respiratory distress. My guess is its MG or IBV... thank god we quarantine all new arrivals.

!!!I AM SO MAD ABOUT THIS!!!!!

Have you dealt with this before? How will you decide that she is healthy enough to join the others?

 

[nuthatched]

Buying birds from private sellers is a huge gamble with high chance of losing, as unfortunately you found out.

The birds should have been immediately returned or culled and anything they touched sanitized.
Cull them and burn the bodies, sanitize any areas they were at.
Do not put them anywhere near your flock.

 

[nuthatched]

Same. Shipped a Facebook pullet $$ ... sick on arrival. Sneezing, crackle in chest and labored breathing. Somewhat active and very friendly. The bangs and feet feathers were trimmed on arrival which I thought odd. We gave her garlic water and scrambled eggs with thyme, oregano and basil. Perked up but still respiratory distress. My guess is its MG or IBV... thank god we quarantine all new arrivals.

!!!I AM SO MAD ABOUT THIS!!!!!

That's why it's not reccomended to buy birds from strange sources. Unfortunately, this is how it ends up 9/10.
Cull the bird, burn and sanitize. Sorry you're going through this

 

[SquawksALOT]

Have you dealt with this before? How will you decide that she is healthy enough to join the others?

I have not. Going to our farm/avian vet in town and getting her labs done to find out what we are dealing with; then informing the breeder. I will cull if need be. Such a sad sad situation to be in...

 

[SquawksALOT]

That's why it's not reccomended to buy birds from strange sources. Unfortunately, this is how it ends up 9/10.
Cull the bird, burn and sanitize. Sorry you're going through this

I also bought eggs $$$, incubating and some hatching today! I hope i don’t have issues with them...

 

[nuthatched]

I also bought eggs $$$, incubating and some hatching today! I hope i don’t have issues with them...

There are a few chronic viruses that are transmitted through the egg, I hope it goes well.