Coryza? Help needed

[Eastmtmike]

Hello all. I've been lurking around this forum for about a year but had to register to ask for your help. We purchased 6 small chickens (4-6 weeks old) from a local breeder about 12 weeks ago. Everyone was fine until I noticed some coughing two days ago. I was sneezing too because of pollen so I figured it might be allergies. Well yesterday I noticed our Wyandotte sticking its head up and kind of gasping so I started searching the forums. It and one of the silkies seemed to be the only ones who were sick so I quarantined them in my garage. They both have nasal discharge and a foul odor around their head region. I've done a bit of reading up and for the life of me I cannot figure out how they may have been exposed to Coryza, but that's what it seems likely to be. I have not started administering antibiotics yet since I want to be sure. In a panic I went out and purchased tetracycline and Tylan50 among other things. I'm wondering what my best course of action is. These are pet chickens that my wife wanted and she is out of state right now so I'm doing my best to keep these little guys around as we've both grown attached. My apologies for the rambling. Any and all advice is appreciated.
Mike

 

[17 chickens]

I would start with the Tetracycline and also put electrolytes in the water.... You might want to look at poop for worms and why you are at it check for lice and mites too... this is a good time of year to do this. Hope this helps!
Oh... toss out the eggs they are laying from the sick and treated hens.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi @Eastmtmike Welcome To BYC

It does sound like they have a respiratory illness. Without testing, there is no way to know for sure what you are dealing with. Infectious Bronchitis, Mycoplasma, ILT and Infectious Coryza are some of the most common.

Do the best you can to keep them eating and drinking. Treat only the ones showing symptoms. Since they have all been housed together, whatever they have, the others have been exposed and would be considered carriers even if they never show signs of illness. If the ones that you have separated are lethargic and need extra care, then continue to keep them separate. Antibiotics can help with secondary infections, but won't cure the illness. Tylan50 can be used - you will need to weigh each bird you're going to treat. Injectable Tylan50 can be given orally or by injection - dosage is 1cc or ml per 5lbs of weight (.20 cc per 1lb). Give it 2x a day for 5days.

If you do happen to lose one, send the body to your state lab for testing will hopefully give you some answers as to what illness you are dealing with.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

 

[Eastmtmike]

Thanks for the replies. I've started everyone on tetracycline. I think I'll keep the two sickies separated just to make sure they're drinking the antibiotics. Everyone has a very healthy appetite. I looked at some of the poo and saw no worms, but a bit of diarrhea which could be from the electrolytes. I did not see mites but the sick silkie looks like it has a bunch of dandruff. New feathers maybe?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I did not see mites but the sick silkie looks like it has a bunch of dandruff. New feathers maybe?

I agree - if you are using Tetracyline in the drinking water, it's best to keep the sick ones separated, no need to treat any of the others at this point.

Can you post some photos of the dandruff?
New feathers coming in do have a keratin sheath that is shed that can look like dandruff. Poultry lice nits can also somewhat look like dandruff or if there are a lot can make the end of the feather closest to the skin look somewhat like a q-tip - there's some good photos in this article http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/08/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification.html

 

[Eggcessive]

Watch for any facial or eyelid swelling, eye bubbles, or pus-like drainage from eyes, which are more common with coryza. If they do not develop that, you may only be dealing with infectious bronchitis, or possibly MG. Wyorp Rock and 17 chickens have given good advice. IB can make carriers of the whole flock for up to a year, while the others can make them carriers for life. The Tylan 50 can be given orally as well as as an injection, so if the sick ones are not doing well or drinking well, then I would start the Tylan orally, giving a drop at a time by mouth.

 

[Eastmtmike]

Sorry it's taken so long to respond. Having a hard time juggling this, work, and other responsibilities while my wife is out of town. I have everyone on tetracycline. Other 4 show no symptoms other than some diarrhea. The two sickies are still sneezing and have clear nose discharge/snot bubbles and diarrhea. Tomorrow is day 5 of antibiotics. Everyone's appetite looks normal. Have not seen my Wyandotte drink yet, but don't have a lot of time to spend observing. The sick silkie drinks often. Have not had time to inspect for mites but I bought a bunch of stuff for that today in case that's what brought this on. Will get off work a little earlier tomorrow (I hope) and will post some pics of "dandruff" and inspect for creepy crawlers. Thanks everyone for your advice and support!

Edit to include that the horrible stench prdominantly from the silkie seems to be gone. Maybe I just got used to it? Lord, I hope not!

 

[Eastmtmike]

Watch for any facial or eyelid swelling, eye bubbles, or pus-like drainage from eyes, which are more common with coryza. If they do not develop that, you may only be dealing with infectious bronchitis, or possibly MG. Wyorp Rock and 17 chickens have given good advice. IB can make carriers of the whole flock for up to a year, while the others can make them carriers for life. The Tylan 50 can be given orally as well as as an injection, so if the sick ones are not doing well or drinking well, then I would start the Tylan orally, giving a drop at a time by mouth.

Nothing odd from the eyes, just seems to be nasal in nature. Have denagard on the way and have Tylan50 here. Wondering what would be next and how long to wait after the tetracycline. Poor chicks.

 

[Eastmtmike]

Well then. Was feeling industrious and had a look at my sick silkie. It seems we have lice. Nits everywhere! Another vote for DE being worthless. I bought MannaPro poultry protector and garden and poultry dust from tractor supply today. Are these good products? I can't spray anything on them since it's getting too cold in the evenings here, but I can spray the coops and runs. Anything on them will have to be dry. I wonder if these buggers are cause or effect.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I would say the lice are an effect - a bird that is sick does not preen/groom or dust bathe like they should making them more susceptible to an infestation. I would use the Poultry Dust (Permethrin) to treat the birds and coop (clean out the bedding) since you see the critters. I have not used Poultry Protector, so someone else would have to chime in on it, but it probably works as a preventative once you get the lice under control.