Coughing

[Natashal8909]

Got an older chicken months ago that after having her 8 or 12 weeks started coughing and died 2 days later. I have been through 2 rounds of coughing, and tylan shots, and ect with my flock and am on round 3 since spring. Only 2 others died. I can't keep this up with 30 chickens. Winter could kill them at that point. I'm considering culling the whole crew and starting over. Is there a waiting period to make sure the disease isn't on anything before adding the new chickens? I can't be adding new chicks to these guys and risk them catching it to and having to call them eventually as well.

 

[nchls school]

Got an older chicken months ago that after having her 8 or 12 weeks started coughing and died 2 days later. I have been through 2 rounds of coughing, and tylan shots, and ect with my flock and am on round 3 since spring. Only 2 others died. I can't keep this up with 30 chickens. Winter could kill them at that point. I'm considering culling the whole crew and starting over. Is there a waiting period to make sure the disease isn't on anything before adding the new chickens? I can't be adding new chicks to these guys and risk them catching it to and having to call them eventually as well.

I know it gets expensive, but this is one of those times that a flock needs to be tested by a veterinarian. Each poultry disease is different and the pathogen may last weeks, months, or longer. Some viruses stay in the soil year to year. Getting more chickens without the testing could well end in disaster.

I am well aware of how expensive a vet is and I can not afford one. In your place, I would continue experimenting with possible cures/answers. If that proved ineffective, I'd start by culling every bird. Thoroughly disinfect the coop-move it to new ground if possible-then construct a new run on fresh soil. Then get a few inexpensive chickens and watch them over a month's time. Should those few birds stay healthy, then I'd get the breed/s that I wanted. Been there and done all of it. How awful for you to even have to consider such a thing.

 

[Natashal8909]

I know it gets expensive, but this is one of those times that a flock needs to be tested by a veterinarian. Each poultry disease is different and the pathogen may last weeks, months, or longer. Some viruses stay in the soil year to year. Getting more chickens without the testing could well end in disaster.

I am well aware of how expensive a vet is and I can not afford one. In your place, I would continue experimenting with possible cures/answers. If that proved ineffective, I'd start by culling every bird. Thoroughly disinfect the coop-move it to new ground if possible-then construct a new run on fresh soil. Then get a few inexpensive chickens and watch them over a month's time. Should those few birds stay healthy, then I'd get the breed/s that I wanted. Been there and done all of it. How awful for you to even have to consider such a thing.

Yeah this is not a fun decision to make at all. And I cant find any livestock vets to test the chickens. To find out what it is.