Half my flock has rattled breathing, white of eye is bubbly and swollen, No egg production? HELP!

[gameboygal12]

This first started last year, virtually all my chickens had it. They eventually got over a few months later. This year, It has started again. When I pick then up and listen to the breath, It kind of sounds like someone sucking their last sip of their drink out of a straw. They will sometimes sneeze and it makes the rattleing sound worse. Some of my other chickens aren't as wheezie as others, But the front part of their eye is full of bubbles and this weird white stuff. It's also swollen. I have about 25 laying chickens. and after they got this weird sickness, I barley get 4 eggs a week!

It's awful! So does anyone know what this sickness is or how I can treat it?

 

[1muttsfan]

You are dealing with one of several respiratory infections chickens can get. Although they are seldom 100% fatal, survivors carry the infection and pass it on to new birds. You might consider having swabs done for MG, and there is other testing available for other infections as well. Culling the flock is usually the best option, since survivors are persistant carriers and birds that recover often have decreased egg production. I would test before culling, so that you know what you are dealing with and if culling is the best option. Good luck.