CRD and how to handle the problem? .......

[Pumpkinpup]

I was asked by a new chicken owner about what she should do for her sick chicks. I inqired as to the symptoms and what she described to me sounds VERY much like CRD. She keep them in her basement with some other chicks who have not gotten ill yet but is worried about them. She also is concearned about the small flock of healthy birds she has outside.
I've never dealt with this myself and was completely unsure of how to advise her other than I know it is something that can be fatal and if the bird survives it will be a carrier. I also can not be certain that CRD is even what her problem is but it sounded like what I have seen described as CRD before.
She mentioned that she had had some sick birds back around Christmas and said something about then vaccinating them????
My thought there was, Why would you vaccinate sick birds? It's not like it is going to cure what they already have?
At any rate, what are your experiences with this? I thought as a poultry owner it would be wise to broaden my knowledge.

 

[walkswithdog]

Up in the stickies - there's one that addresses common dosages. CRD is what Algie had and Tylan50 worked. And I hugely recommend significant use of cider vinegar in their water.

Vaccinating an animal when it is ill, is not useful. If they got better after a vaccination - it's mere coincidence - it ran it's course, they got better - despite the shot. Not because of it.

Animals with some immune mediated problems can be killed by vaccinating them while they are already ill.

 

[Pumpkinpup]

I knew that vaccinating was useless after the fact and told her to save her money in the future. I don't understand some peoples logic

I kind of felt that since it was only the ones in her basement that culling might be the route to take to protect her other birds outside.

 

[walkswithdog]

Culling is certainly the safest route.

CRD and a number of lesser upper respiratory infections can be handled with Tylan50.

However, with some of them you do stand a chance of establishing a carrier.

That's an individual choice. And a hard one. I have an experienced poulty guy near here, who says he doesn't think it was CRD for certain, and that he thinks the Roo is safe at this point.

He's been here on and off since I got Algie and was here yesterday and thinks Algie is over it. I'm giving it a few more days since it's snowing and Algie has been primarily in the house and getting used to coop temps would be a bit of a challenge right now.

If I didn't have Russ to draw on, I might err on the side of caution and cull.

Make sure she disinfects the basement whatever her decision. There's also considering whether or not something in the air, in the basement caused it. Molds, fungus, significant air contamination and birds will get ill and it doesn't have to be viral or bacterial.

Something to consider.

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