Golden-Laced Wyandotte Rooster-not well

[Lazarus]

There is something really wrong with him. Up until yesterday he would make speaking sounds, for a few weeks.
Now today his comb is more on the purple side and he is making this sound quite a bit. Seems to be breathing harder with an open mouth.
He is one of roosters that I don't need, so to say goodbye will not be that hard, but if any other chickens start making the sound I would like to know what to do.

This is my third season with chickens and I have been very blessed not to have any major issues. I have been battling mites this spring and still don't have that totally under control. This roo does have some mite issues and scabs on his back, if this is contributing to his current condition.

Thanks for the help in advance,

Aaron

 

[Rowsdower]

It sounds like he has a respiratory infection, which can be caused by any number of things. I would definitely get him isolated if possible.

 

[Lazarus]

Isolate and then what? I have never had to give any medication to any of my birds. It's overwhelming the amount of information out there about what to give them.

Is there a general medication I can give to this bird for respiratory infection or do I really have to know what he has?
I am in Ontario, Canada so can I buy something at the feed store or this going to be a vet thing?

Thank you for the reply

Aaron

 

[aart]

The only way to know for sure is to have him necropsied if he doesn't live.
For now it might be good to isolate him and observe his eatingdrinkingpooping habits, maybe give him one of the general antibiotics.

 

[Rowsdower]

Once you get him isolated, try to get him a bit of supplemental heat. The less energy he has to put toward temperature regulation, the more energy he'll have for healing. I'm not sure what you guys can get in the way of antibiotics up there, but I had a similar situation work itself out with a few days of Tylan. Tylan is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, but there is no guarantee that it will kill the "bugs" that we're after. *fingers crossed* It is made in both water-soluble and injectable forms. The injectable form is better and easy to do when you are treating just one bird, but I know some folks just can't do needles.

Here's a thread with a bunch of info on dosing: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/668686/tylan-50-dose

 

[Mrs. K]

personally, I would cull him quickly. Might be a weak heart, with a purple comb, but whatever it is, get it out of your flock ASAP, and really off the place is the best.

A sharp knife is a very good vet tool. Very few vets will even treat a bird here, and the cost is very high. Generally speaking, one eventually has to cull birds, anything the least bit sick needs to go immediately.

Mrs K

 

[Lazarus]

Thank you for the sound advice. Already done.