Cold medicine for chickens????!!

[speckledhen]

VetRx comes in a little bottle for about $5 at most feedstores here, however, it is only to alleviate symptoms and will not cure anything.

 

[CocoNUT]

I think one of my 3 week old RIR chicks has some kind of respiratory thing going on. She's smaller than the others and 'thin'. She does not have a blocked vent (I've checked) and she is eliminating ok. She has been sneezing occasionally though.

If the vetRX doesn't 'cure' the respiratory infection, then what will? Any ideas or suggestions please?!

 

[speckledhen]

The issue is that most respiratory infections can never be cured, permanently. That's part of what being a carrier means. Some of these diseases,which are herpes type, will stay in their body even if they seem to recover. Viruses can't be cured with antibiotics. This is the reason that if one of my birds ever contracts a respiratory illness (I'm going on four years as a chicken owner and have never had that in my flock), I will cull (yes, kill) the bird or birds that show symptoms. Period. No treatment. I want a strong flock, not one that infects any other birds that I raise and add to it and not one that must be treated every few months when they have a relapse.

 

[CocoNUT]

I understand about culling the 'carriers'. I'm now wondering if my other 5 RIRs are carriers as well? I mean they're all perfectly fine and active...not a snivel or sneeze from any of them. I've already thoroughly cleaned their water source and replaced the water and separated the 'sickly' chick. This one is by far the smallest of the bunch and has her feathers all puffed out. Just keeps her eyes closed and in this standing position...kinda sad really.
What should I look for in my other RIRs who were in the same brooder as she was? Or would they have developed the same symptoms already? Our other 5 are DEFINITLY rather 'vigorous'!!!
Any advice is most appreciated.

 

[speckledhen]

Same protocol with all suspected disease. Separate the sick, disinfect everything, watch for symptom in the other birds. As far as the ill one, I'd do supportive care, but no antibiotics. Some are just not meant to live, sad as it is.

 

[CocoNUT]

Ok...next I just have to disinfect the entire brooder. I'm REALLY glad I never integrated our bantams with the RIRs...I'd REALLY be heartbroken then! (although we LOVE the RIRs too!) Fortunately, the bantam brooder chicks are VERY pro-yogurt and pro-earthworms!!! (The difference in growth rate is really amazing too!)
I know that everything happens for a reason and would rather not have the chickie suffer. Thankfully my hubby noticed her lethargy and sneezing and mentioned it when I got home! (Oh...and I've been doing the whole bio-hazard thing with the chickies since we got the bantams...even changing clothes! I'm really glad now too!)
Thank you again for your help, advice and knowledge!

 

[I have WHAT in my yard?]

If I cull the sick, and look for symptoms in the others can I later expand my flock without expecting the disease to reoccur? I am expecting a shipment of 12 chicks in three weeks!

Clearly I should not have accepted these four babies. The woman said the mother was pecking these four unmercifully and now I wonder if it was because she knew they ere ill......

But, they seem fairly healthy, the one who seemed to be sneezing now seems fine.

 

[speckledhen]

I can't say anything for sure because, in the absence of symptoms and/or testing, you don't know what they have. It's beyond our scope to diagnose on the forum.

 

[Chicken Woman]

I have read in a couple of my books that if your chickens are showing signs of a cold you should put a teaspoon of finr garlic powder (without salt) in a gallon of water and have it as their only source of water.

Here is a site that talks about Natural Organic Cures for poultry .http://ultimatefowl.wordpress.com/2008/11/23/natural-organic-cures-and-remedies-for-poultry/

I hope all goes well !

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY ALL !

 

[CocoNUT]

My little sick chick never recovered and succumbed to her illness over night. So far the other chicks are doing really well, active and crazy as ever. No sneezing or anything so I am grateful for that.