Entire flock has sinus infection. Feedback Appreciated.

[Sundevill11]

Has anyone had their entire flock sick at the same time? Currently all of our chickens are isolated in our garage in a playpen because they are sneezing and showing signs of suffering from a sinus infection. Our vet said that this can be common in chickens and that it is something that has to take its course. We're assisting each chicken with wiping snot from its nares, applying a warm towel for a few minutes to each side of the face (some chickens are slightly swollen under their eyes), adding VetRX to the nares and to their water, and obviously keeping their area as clean as possible. This includes fresh water and food. Most of the chickens are still eating and drinking normally but some just don't have the appetite right now. We've also noticed that it's common to see a few of them holding their heads straight down.

Based on the above, is there anyone who can offer any help or insight on what we can do to help the chickens through this? It's been a lot of work doing all of this before and after work but we want to give our hens the best shot at a speedy recovery. Does anyone know how long we could expect this condition to last? Any feedback would be beyond appreciated.

 

[Sundevill11]

 

[Eggcessive]

Are you seeing any with bubbles or foam in an eye, or any with swelling around an eye or the face? Those are signs of MG (mycoplasma.) If not, you could be dealing with a virus, infectious bronchitis, which does have to run it’s course. IB is the most common disease. Survivors usually get well in about a month, and you may see some thin or wrinkled egg shells. It affects chicks and young ones much more severely, but grown chickens usually tolerate it well. VetRx is only herbal oils (rosemary, oregano, pine oil) with smelly camphor, and has nothing in it that really cures a respiratory disease, but it does no harm. It would be good to get a few sick birds tested, to rule out MG or other diseases. Your state vet can help with testing. Some may have one disease that can be complicated by another as a secondary disease. Hopefully, your hens will all recover soon. I would not add any new chickens or hatch any eggs for 1 year after the last bird recovers, since IB makes them all carriers for 5 months to a year. MG makes them carriers for life.

 

[Sundevill11]

We have not seen any foam or bubbles around the eyes. There is slight swelling on the face of some hens but it is not extensive swelling.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would get a couple tested, or at least the sickest bird. It is good to know if it is IB or MG. Tylan injectable or tylosin (Tylan) powder for the water are best for treating MG, but there is nothing that works again IB, since it has to run it’s course. If you have any pictures of the swelling including the eye, that might be helpful. Oh, I do see a couple of pictures in your earlier post. Here is a good article that lists the common respiratory diseases and symptom:
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044