Cockerels longterm rattling, coughing for over 2 months....

[ChuckieChuck]

There are a number of respiratory diseases, some from viruses, bacteria, and mold spores (fungus.) MG is a common one. They can get diseases through their hatchiing egg, from wild birds, and from other poultry. Baytril is a very strong antibiotic and can treat MG. Have you noticed a bad odor from the heads of the roosters? That could be associated with coryza. If you have seen eye bubbles or foam, or swollen eyelids, that could be MG or coryza.

Respiratory viruses will not respond to antibiotics, but will last a month or so. I would concentrate on getting them to drink well, and offer foods that will encourage them to eat. Mixing a little water in the feed can help, and scrambled egg or tuna can be given in small amounts. Plain yogurt is helpful for probiotics. Hopefully they will feel better soon. Most respiratory diseases can be chronic. Make sure there is no mold around the coop, and make sure your coop ventilation is maximized. Droppings should be removed often and bedding kept clean and dry.

Hello Eggcessive,

Thank you for your reply.

Do you mean by chronic that they will "rattle forever"?
There is no smell around their heads.
Also no bubbles or anything from eyes or nostrils. No swallen parts in their faces.

I clean up the poop everyday.

No mould. Also use DE and we live in a country with little rain. It's a new coop.

Do you think there could be a chance it being gapeworm despite the negative flowchart result?

Best Wishes

 

[Eggcessive]

Gapeworm larvae would have shown up in the fecal float. Birds with gapeworm cannot eat and drink due to labored breathing. DE can cause breathing and eye issues, so I would not use it. Chronic respiratory diseases handpg around for the life of the chicken. Symptoms may improve, but they can get them again during periods of stress. How much Baytril were you giving them, and were you giving it in the water or to each chicken orally? If I had Baytril or enrofloxacin 10% liquid, I would give 0.05 ml per pound of weight twice a day orally for 5 days. That would be 0.4 ml for an 8 pound rooster, or 2.5 ml for a 5 pound hen. How much do your roosters weigh? Baytril tastes bad, and others have said that they won’t drink the medicated water. So it is best to give it orally. I would only medicate the sick birds.

 

[ChuckieChuck]

Thank you for your reply.
The vet said to give 3 ml per day into the water after he weighed him. Total of 2 weeks. After a week he also said to put the girls on 3 ml per day. Which I did and that’s when I put them back together again.
I will stop the DE. It would be nice if it would help.
Tomorrow I will put them into a coop with a roof and hardware cloth on 3 sides and a tarpaulin floating a meter over the top to prevent any eventual rain from entering. Hopefully the extra ventilation will help.
The coop will be in a sheltered location and @ 15 Celsius during the night they should be warm enough.
I stopped giving vitamins after 2 weeks because it seems to make the roosters more aggressive towards each other and the poor girls. All they wanted is to mate and fight.
I am giving them an egg every second day mixed in with the feed they love it as well as fresh veggies and fruit and finely chopped herbs.
Will try tuna as well.
Thank you for your help