Coughing Chickens?

[enola]

Chickens don't catch "colds". There are a few exceptions, but usually if it appears that chickens have caught a cold, they are exhibiting a respiratory infection of some type. Watch them very closely and report any more symptoms they show. Someone on this site will be glad to help you treat them.

 

[bantychicken]

Ok I'll post the symptoms my dad notices. Hopefully they have improved over the past few days. They were all fat and happy last time I saw them which was a day ago. I hope I don't loose them. I never payed attention last winter if they coughed or not, hopefully we won't have any deaths.

 

[Eggcessive]

If it is a virus such infectious bronchitis, antibiotics won't help anyway, but some give Tylan or oxytetracycline just in case it is MG, or to prevent secondary bacterial infections which can be serious. Any of the diseases can kill, but usually only a certain percentage. To answer your question about aspergillosis from moldy conditions causing coughing or sneezing, it doesn't unless it is complicated by a secondary infection which can be MG, IB, or others. E.coli can be a secondary infection in many respiratory diseases. I would probably improve your coop conditions and ventilation, then watch them for worsening symptoms. If they are lethargic or acting very sick, you probably should isolate the sick ones, and start some oxytetracycline in the water. Here are 2 good links to read:
http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pou...lasma_gallisepticum_infection_in_poultry.html
http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pou...view_of_infectious_bronchitis_in_poultry.html

 

[bantychicken]

Ok thank you for your help. Praying it won't kill them. Hopefully their immune systems are strong and I'll try and find oxytetracycline if it gets worse. I'll definitely have dad clean the coup out. I think I noticed some type of mold or fungus growing inside the coop. I'll have to get rid of it somehow.

 

[kari1981]

I too am dealing with coughing, not in chickens but my duck. But they both have similar diseases. My duck has had a cough for 4 months now. At first it was once in a blue moon. I never thought much of it since it was a few coughs a week. And she acted and looked perfectly normal. Well a month ago her cough turned for the worse,All in one day! I went outside to let them out and she got excited and coughed really bad,like 4 coughs in a row. And she just kept coughing more and more. She then started to get labored breathing so that had me worried and we went to the vet. She was put on doxycycline. Well a week goes by and no improvement, the cough just keeps getting worse. She is living inside my home now with one of her buddies to keep out the cold. I do not know whats causing this coughing and labored breathing, she has also lost alot of weight! Did a fecal test and no worms found. I decided to get Denagard and shes being treated with this right now. I wish I knew the cause. Its either MG or a fungal infection. I have noticed a couple of my other ducks outside are starting to have a slight cough just like she did in the beginning. If I were you. I would treat fast. I had let mine be because she seemed normal other then the cough and now she sounds like its pneumonia. In fact she still acts normal despite the cough,weight loss and labored breathing