CRD and new birds

[jeza921]

Hello again! I'm back with another question.

About three weeks ago I purchased 10 chick Auracanas. They're in the basement in a baby pool.

During the last few weeks, my original flock has come down with what I believe is CRD. Their main symptom is sneezing, and one or two has a crusty nose. One of them has it real bad and she has started to breath with her mouth open and she's pretty lethargic. The rest of them are acting normal except for the sneezing and the occasional cough.

Yesterday I went into the barn and found the rooster dead. I'm not sure what it was from... he wasn't very symptomatic; some sneezing and head shaking but did not act like he felt sick. Two days before my dog caught him after he escaped from the yard and while the dog just stood on him until I caught up to them I think it's possible he may have torn something internally although he seemed fine on the outside.

So here's the question:

I have these babies in the basement I had planned on introducing into the flock. The flock probably has something they will carry forever. I have resigned myself to having a sneezy flock until they either die or I cull them in 2 years. I'm just concerned about integrating the two groups and the chicks dying.

Has anyone done this before? Any suggestions?

 

[PhlyinPheBee]

I have a flock that is going to the MG or CRD right now. Anything that is in the flock will get sick and become carriers. It will be past to any chicks that are born. I do not have a roo and will not give any of the birds away. The only way any bird will be able to leave is if it has been culled. It is a bummer but that is what has to be done.

If you do not want your new chicks to get it then you cannnot put them in there.

Of course that is my opinion.

Good luck........Sorry that you lost your roo!

 

[PurpleChicken]

These CRDs affect young and molting birds the most. Once your adult
flock beats the symptoms they should be relatively normal, at least that
was my experience. Once the young birds are infected many will get
sick.

My suggestion to you is to cull your older flock now and focus on the young
ones. I know that isn't your plan but why infect new birds when you can
avoid it.

CRDs suck.

 

[dlhunicorn]

One thing to consider when dealing with these symptoms (aand ideally at the FIRST signs) > GIVE THEM A GENERAL SUPPLEMENT like Avia Charge 2000 (available online from McMurry) AND
Polyvisol Enfamil > four drops in beak once a day for a week taper off the next.
vit A deficiency is very common and when combined with birds starting to molt and heat stress can imitae a respiratory illness before it actually happens (in such a weakened state then respiratory illness often develops secondary to nutritional deficiencies and imbalance).
Each situation is different but a birds immune system is totally dependent on the birds nutritional status and their ability to absorb nutrients (if your flock had a bout with cocci then their intestines and their ability to absorb nutrients may be compromised and a supplement in times of stress will always be a good thing in such cases) ...
here is an article to help explain :
http://www.feedindustrynetwork.com/ViewArticle.aspx?id=23612

...there are many others. At the FIRST sign of lethargy, sneezing eyes not looking bright and clear I supplement (based on info such as in the article above) and it has worked for me so far.

 

[tulie13]

Is the CRD something that can be tested for? And is that one of the things that NPIP checks?

 

[PurpleChicken]

CRD stands for Chronic respiratory disorder and can be a number of different things.


NPIP, depending on the state, looks for Avian Influenza, Pullorum, and Typhoid. In CT you can request MG and MS(both CRDs) testing when they test for NPIP.