Curing Respiratory Infection?

[Hedera]

I think my hen has a respiratory infection. How do you cure it? Before anyone else catches it

 

[foxypoproxy]

Mine had a respiratory infection about a month ago.
he had yellow liquid in its nostrils, sneezing, gaping, difficulty breathing, head shaking, vomiting, diarrhea, and would lay down with its head back..it did not look good.

He went on 15 days of oral baytril and he got better.
Hope this helps!

 

[galanie]

Try to get some Tylan 50. It's sold as an injectable but what you do is give it to them orally. Tylan is the best thing for respiratory infections. That is what it was developed for.

 

[Tiss]

I've also heard people say that misting them with Oxine works.

 

[Quiobole]

I'm not an expert on chicken diseases or treatments but penicillin, specifically ampicillin, (orally) has worked miracles for my chickens. Some may say it won't work but try telling that to my chickens that are running happily outside, even though they were almost near death last winter!

 

[galanie]

Quote:
Yes, it does. The problem is getting the equipment to mist them if you aren't dedicated to using it and don't already have it.

 

[Judy]

This is a much, much more complex subject than indicated by the replies you received. Briefly, some of these diseases are viral and will never be cured. In some cases the symptoms may abate or disappear but the virus will still be present, to recur under some stress, or to pass along to others. Many can also be passed to other flocks by simple means, even through hatching eggs, so unless you know exactly which disease they have, you should maintain a closed flock. The hard truth is that many experienced breeders would cull (as in put to death) the flock with any respiratory infection present. If you do not do this, it is vital to find out (probably through your state's vet office) exactly which disease you have, and follow that protocol. Giving an antibiotic without knowing it is indicated is poor medical practice, and it would rarely if ever be indicated for a viral disease (antibiotics do not kill viruses) unless a secondary infection were present. There are a number of reasons why giving chickens with respiratory symptoms a randomly chosen antibiotic might appear to cure but actually only improve symptoms.

The last link addresses oxine in detail. I believe a simple home humidifier will work. If you choose not to get a definitive diagnosis, I would definitely recommend this over an antibiotic.

Here are some links to get you started.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=9241

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=560301&p=1

 

[foxypoproxy]

This is a much, much more complex subject than indicated by the replies you received. Briefly, some of these diseases are viral and will never be cured. In some cases the symptoms may abate or disappear but the virus will still be present, to recur under some stress, or to pass along to others. Many can also be passed to other flocks by simple means, even through hatching eggs, so unless you know exactly which disease they have, you should maintain a closed flock. The hard truth is that many experienced breeders would cull (as in put to death) the flock with any respiratory infection present. If you do not do this, it is vital to find out (probably through your state's vet office) exactly which disease you have, and follow that protocol. Giving an antibiotic without knowing it is indicated is poor medical practice, and it would rarely if ever be indicated for a viral disease (antibiotics do not kill viruses) unless a secondary infection were present. There are a number of reasons why giving chickens with respiratory symptoms a randomly chosen antibiotic might appear to cure but actually only improve symptoms.

The last link addresses oxine in detail. I believe a simple home humidifier will work. If you choose not to get a definitive diagnosis, I would definitely recommend this over an antibiotic.

Here are some links to get you started.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=9241

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=560301&p=1

Very good point!