Closed eye and sneezing

[Stompin]

Hey guys! First post here hopefully I can get some help!

I picked up 6 new chickens yesterday. Most of them have one eye closed and are sneezing fairly frequently. When I checked on them this morning a couple of them have their eyes open but are still sneezing. From what I've read it seems like they may have some sort of respiratory disease. They have no bubbles and are eating and drinking like normal. I'd like a second or third opinion!

I will post a couple pictures when I am home. Thanks everyone.

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you take them back? I sure wouldn’t want to start off with sick chickens, especially since many respiratory diseases can remain in the flock for their lives. Any new chickens can become sick when they are exposed to them. Respiratory diseases can be from viruses or bacteria, as well as from fungi (mold.) Here is a good link about diseases:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

 

[Eggcessive]

I forgot to welcome you to BYC. Infectious bronchitis is the most common respiratory disease followed by mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG.) Others include, infectious coryza, ILT, aspergillosis, and others. For bacterial diseases such as MG, Tylan50 injectable can be given orally or by injection to help treat symptoms. Coryza may be treated with sulfa antibiotics. Viruses such as IB and ILT, have to run their course over a month or so. Fungal diseases may improve if mold is prevented. Many diseases can be complicated by a secondary infection.

 

[Stompin]

Thanks for the welcome.

Unfortunately these guys were showing some more symptoms over the next few days (bubbly eyes, sneezing, runny poops, lots of mucus etc). They looked like they were declining rapidly, a few of them even stopped eating/drinking. I got a second opinion from one of my farmer friends and decided it was too risky to introduce them to my flock. I had to put my ladies first and ended up having to cull the sick ones.

A poor experience for a new-er chicken owner, but I think it was the right choice. That'll be the last time I get chickens from another person, I'll stick to my hatchery in the future.

 

[Carolrich]

Hello! I am new to BYC too. I think the suggestion to take them back was a good one. I picked up a new cockerel 5 weeks ago and he looked fine for two days and then we noticed his left eye closed. No other symptoms. When it didn't improve after 3 days, I took him too a vet and found he had a sinus infection that backed up into his eye. I had kept him separated from my hens from. The get go and was glad I did. He had two 10 day rounds of antibiotics and the infection is gone but he lost the function of his eye. I wish I had taken him for treatment earlier. Since you got so many new ones that are sick, not keeping them was a sensible choice.

 

[Stompin]

yeah I think it was the right move. I have 5 new day old chicks fresh from the hatchery now. There is something satisfying about raising them from day one any way!

Welcome to BYC by the way

 

[Eggcessive]

You can really bond with baby chicks, and be assured they have a healthy start. Glad you have a new flock.