Do Chicks catch cold? Had a wheaten die - looking for advice

[Billwags]

I have read posts on here that chickens do not catch colds.

I had a 12 week old wheaten americauna that had seemed to have a cold (sneezing) and within about day became lethargic and died. I was looking for antibiotics for her but couldn't find the tylosin locally. Today, I noticed while looking at products online that the "VetRX" formula indicates it is for chickens with colds and among other maladies.

Can someone enlighten me on this? Do chickens catch colds?

This chicken seemed to be gasping for breath just before she passed. Any ideas? I am worried about my other chics she was housed with. All of the other chics have been vaccinated foir Merek's and are on medicated feed to prevent Coccidosis.

Any ideas what she may have had? Suggestions for the other chics (which seem fine and non are sneezing)?
Very concerned. Thank you.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

They don't get colds like people do but they are affected by a huge variety of respiratory issues. Most of which are exacerbated by small respiratory systems and poor ventilation.
The respiration problems could be fungal, viral, parasitic or bacterial so the latter is the only one helped by antibiotics.
That is a very quick death.

I'm sure you can quit the medicated feed now.

 

[LuvinChickens]

Chicken can not get colds, however they can have upper respiratory infections and pneumonia and stuff like that. Tetracycline is a medicine that I recommend for all respiratory infections. Unfortunately I don't know if chicks can have tetracycline. I will do some research very quickly, and then I will reply with what I have found.

 

[Billwags]

Has anyone had any experience using Corid?

 

[ten chicks]

Has anyone had any experience using Corid?

What do you want to know?

 

[Billwags]

is it safe for chickens? Is it effective for this? How to administer and at what dosage? Thank you!

 

[ten chicks]

is it safe for chickens? Is it effective for this? How to administer and at what dosage? Thank you!

Corid(amprolium)is used to treat Coccidiosis. Cocci is a parasitic infection of the intestinal tract. Cocci is spread by droppings which get into feed/water via droppings. Some symptoms of cocci are runny/watery poop(may or may not contain blood,depends on which of the 9 strains it is)fluffed feathers,lethargic,weight loss,not eating/drinking properly. If your chickens show any of these symptoms,purchase Corid(amprolium). Dose for Corid 20% powder is 1/2 tsp per gallon of water,dose for Corid 9.6% liquid is 2 tsp per gallon of water. Treat all chicks for 5 days,do not give vitamins during treatment(interferes with medication)give vitamins after treatment is complete. Cocci can kill very fast. Corid is very safe for chickens and very effective,treats all 9 strains of coccidiosis. Chicks on medicated feed,can get Coccidiosis.

Apologize for any crazy letter size and spelling,my young pullet loves computers and as i have been typing response,has been pecking at keys and changing font size and who know what else she has done

 

[Billwags]

Thanks so much for your help. One more question - do I need to stop medicated feed while they are on the corid? I am thinking I read somewhere they should only have one source of amprolium. I have found some of the 20% powder locally and will begin tomorrow. Thank you again!

 

[ten chicks]

Thanks so much for your help. One more question - do I need to stop medicated feed while they are on the corid? I am thinking I read somewhere they should only have one source of amprolium. I have found some of the 20% powder locally and will begin tomorrow. Thank you again!

Ideally yes,use non medicated feed,but i have always used medicated feed when treating with Corid for Coccidiosis. The reason i used medicated feed,was i could not find any non medicated feed. All my chicks were fine,never had any problems. The amount of Amprolium in medicated feed,is a very small amount.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Thanks so much for your help. One more question - do I need to stop medicated feed while they are on the corid? I am thinking I read somewhere they should only have one source of amprolium. I have found some of the 20% powder locally and will begin tomorrow. Thank you again!

The only time I bought medicated feed the label said to not give amprolium if using the feed or to stop the feed if treating with a coccidiastat.

Why are you treating with that? Do they have the symptoms in Ten Chicks post above? Because it won't do anything for a respiratory issue.
Keeping bedding bone dry and feeders full is the best defense against coccidia.
Amprolium is a thiamine blocker so, if it was me, I wouldn't use it unless they had symptoms.