Unfortunately, chickens do not get “colds” like us humans. This sounds more like
Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (MG), rather than anything else. MG is one of the most common respiratory diseases in poultry worldwide. Also known as
Chronic Respiratory Disease (CRD), MG is caused by the Mycobacterium bacteria, so it is easily managed and treatable with antibiotics, however, it can not be cured. All recovered birds will be carriers of the bacteria, shedding and spreading the disease through feces, feathers, dander, respiratory secretions and other bodily fluids. MG can also be passed from either infected parent bird, causing chicks to be already infected upon hatch day. While there are other respiratory illnesses that can cause similar symptoms, they normally come with other signs that can separate one from another. MG is a chronic infection of poultry, meaning that symptoms may come and go during stressful situations such as weather changes, season changes, new coop or home, molting, etc. The most effective antibiotics for this disease can be
Tylan 50, LA-200, Penicillin, Denegard or
Amoxicillin.
Here are some links that you can read to learn more about MG/CRD:
1.
http://extension.msstate.edu/publications/mycoplasma-gallisepticum-backyard-flocks
2.
https://tvmdl.tamu.edu/2019/05/20/mycoplasmosis-in-backyard-chicken-flocks/
If you are in the US, I highly recommend that you get testing done on your birds so you can make 100% sure that it is MG/CRD is the disease that you’re dealing with. Calling your State of Agriculture or sending samples to a laboratory, should help you get results. You can contact
Research Associates Laboratory (RAL) to get live testing done on your birds.
I hope this can help you in some way
