HELP! Chicken with cold

[Happy Chooks]

I've been researching her illness and wondered if this could be Marek's? It all started with her not being sure legged and stumbling and then the sneezing and now the wheezing with heavy breathing. She can not stand up and lays on her side with her wings spread out. She is able to hold her head up. Could this be Marek's?

Chickens don't get colds.

Sounds like a respiratory illness. If it is, most of them make the bird carriers for life and they can infect the rest of your flock. Some are also able to be passed through the egg to offspring.

 

[WhiskiRanch]

Quote: I also have a few older chicks that are sneezing but are still in high spirits. Should I start them on Duramycin and would that stuff be safe for my other chickens since I cant separate them?

 

[Haunted55]

Did more search for pictures and this is not Marek's...thank God! Her legs are stretched out in the same direction and she can move her legs and wings but can't standup or sit up.

Darn it, I wish the M word hadn't come up.... Okay here's the thing, just because she isn't in what I call the 'roadrunner' position doesn't mean it can't be Marek's. It can, but before we go too far down that route, let's see about a couple of other things. Has she ever been wormed? Worms can cause weakness bad enough, that if the bird is infested enough, she'll be getting very little from the feed she is taking in. Vitamin E deficiency can be another culprit. Aflatoxin poisoning is another as is botulism. Can you get a picture or two of her, so we all could see how she looks? There are people on BYC who can spot issues very well.

Okay back to the Marek's....if it is, it's already too late. I say this because she and all the others have been exposed and now all you can do is wait it out. With Marek's, some die but not all. Some will get better but always be in a weaken state and there are some who do not seem to be affected by the exposure at all. Don't despair and think you have to cull your flock. Sometimes people find this to be the only way to deal with this issue. Marek's bird will always require more hands on care than a bird who doesn't have the symptomatic problems the disease produces. But, I have survivors here and they are happy, lay eggs and have a good chicken life. This is an individual decision that a person has to make according to your situation and expectations for your life with chickens.

 

[Haunted55]

I also have a few older chicks that are sneezing but are still in high spirits. Should I start them on Duramycin and would that stuff be safe for my other chickens since I cant separate them?

It's safe enough but I wouldn't be using the eggs for a week afterwards. [I think it's a week, I have got to find my notebook!] The package will give the withdrawel times on the back of it as well as dosage. I am one to try and head things off at the first signs of trouble. I would rather err on the side of caution than to sit back and possibly lose a bird. Again, personal choice. Is your coop/house ventilated well? Have you introduced something new for bedding? Dusty hay or straw? It may be something as simple as that or it could be the start of a respiratory issue. Look and think about what enviromental thing could be doing this, if you find nothing go for the antibiotic.

 

[dawg53]

Quote: FYI: There's a 21 day withdrawal period after using duramycin.

 

[WhiskiRanch]

Quote: Thank you so much. My coop is very well ventilated. the doorway is about 4ft by 5ft and is always open. there is no door on it. We turned an old pig shed that hadnt been used in 15+ years into the chicken coop. I have been using packaged shavings all winter and the run is open air with no roof, just chicken wire. There is also a homemade dog house (big enough for a mastif dog) that we use in the run that has a 2 by 2 opening. my nesting buckets are just that, 6gal paint buckets with a hole cut in the lid and shavings for bedding

 

[Haunted55]

FYI: There's a 21 day withdrawal period after using duramycin.

thanks Dawg53, couldn't remember, can't find my notebook with all the dosaging written down and don't have a package to check.

 

[dawg53]

Quote: I can relate. Here's a link for you:
http://www.durvet.com/dl/Durvet-Poultry-Brochure.pdf

 

[Haunted55]

Thank you so much. My coop is very well ventilated. the doorway is about 4ft by 5ft and is always open. there is no door on it. We turned an old pig shed that hadnt been used in 15+ years into the chicken coop. I have been using packaged shavings all winter and the run is open air with no roof, just chicken wire. There is also a homemade dog house (big enough for a mastif dog) that we use in the run that has a 2 by 2 opening. my nesting buckets are just that, 6gal paint buckets with a hole cut in the lid and shavings for bedding

Then I'd say it could be a repiratory issue. Quick question...before you put the chickens into this area, how well did you clean it out. This may be for nothing but there is something that turkeys can pick up from pigs. I'd have to look it up because I can't remember the name, symptoms, or even if it would be an issue with chickens or if it is just turkeys that can get it. Not much help huh? I'll look and get back if someone doesn't beat me to it.

I'd use the Duramycin and see if it helps. Just remember you don't want to use the eggs as the meds will can come through them. This is true for most medications and is something to remember. It could cause problems if someone has an allergy to the drug.

 

[WhiskiRanch]

Quote: The area was vacant for over 15 years of pigs. Its located in the horse pasture up against our shop. We decided to use this little shed at a base for our chicken coop because its already there, in good shape and in a good location (my mare wont let any dogs into the pasture unless its my dog) The shed and area around it was raked up of any trash or poo that had accumulated. The chickens were moved in after the coop was built and cleaned out. I did have momma hen in the shed with my very first batch (5 months old now) before we did any cleaning or building because she decided to have her nest in there. We didnt lock any of them in there until we found another hidden nest in the neighbors hay barn but the shed was cleaned out by then. Sorry if this makes no sense, my head is pounding and Im babbling