chronic respiratory infection

[neophyte17]

I have two roosters that were given to me when they were baby chicks. Both were very sick but I managed to nurse them back to health. However I think they are now carriers of a respiratory disease cause they break out with a cold and that distinctive foul smell from their nostrils when they have mucus. I treat tthem and they get over it. My question is what is their life expectancy? do they die younger than healthy non carrier chickens?

 

[Judy]

It depends on which disease they have. Only testing can deterine for certain which you have. These diseases are not like human colds, they are chronic, may become dormant but never cured, and many are passed from the mother through the egg. They are very contagious and you should keep a closed flock (no birds leave your property) if you keep the chickens.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/respiratory-illness-in-chickens.html

 

[neophyte17]

I don't have a flock I only have those two roosters. I don't plan on getting any more chickens until they pass on. i can't afford testing. just that I might lose my house to foreclosure and we'll have no place to keep them. so basically I'm trying to stay in my house for the live. but I don't know if the bank come to an agreement. they are my petS.

 

[neophyte17]

by the way thank you for replying