Help! My chickens keep getting sick

[lvigil98]

I am in need of some helpful information. I am new to chickens and thought I was doing pretty good. I had gotten some pullets and a few days afterward realized that had something. Spoke to the guy I got them from and he informed me that he had the same problem and told me it was infectious bronchitis and told me to give them antibiotics. Did that only lost one and they them to get better. They even got old enough and some started to lay. But it is back gain for the third time. Am I doing something wrong? Any information would be a great help and really appreciated.

 

[MoodyBroody622]

I am in need of some helpful information. I am new to chickens and thought I was doing pretty good. I had gotten some pullets and a few days afterward realized that had something. Spoke to the guy I got them from and he informed me that he had the same problem and told me it was infectious bronchitis and told me to give them antibiotics. Did that only lost one and they them to get better. They even got old enough and some started to lay. But it is back gain for the third time. Am I doing something wrong? Any information would be a great help and really appreciated.

I had the same thing go through a flock of 50 chickens. It was terrible, we put stuff in there drinking water, and we also did drops in ALL of the chickens, eyes both eyes everyday for two weeks, it cured it and it has not been back.

 

[lvigil98]

So do you remember what you used in the water and what drops for the eyes. I live in PA in an area that doesn't have to many farmers.

 

[realsis]

Problem with infectious bronchitis is its very contagious. Survivors will become immune to the disease but will be carriers for life.meaning even if they are not displaying symptoms themselves they can infect other birds with this disease. Did he sell you these birds knowing they had infectious
bronchitis? That's is so wrong if he did. They can
and will infect you're flock with this disease. With IB
you have to watch for secondary infections which
can sometimes happen. My diagnosis and treatmen
book recommends treating with tylosin or tylan50 for
secondary infections. They will always continue to
be carriers of this disease. Personally I think its an
awful practice of this person to knowingly sell you
birds with infectious bronchitis! That's so wrong! Its
so highly contagious and will infect your current
flock. I'm so sorry this happened to you. Being life
long carriers I believe this disease can come and go
through out there lives. You can help with secondary
infections and symptoms by using tylan 50
injectable. This disease will never actually go away
as they will carry it with them but the tylan50 can
help with secondary infections and symptoms. I hope this helps and I'm very very sorry he sold you sick birds. I wish you the very very best of luck.

 

[keesmom]

He sold you sick pullets?? And then told you to treat them instead of taking them back?? That is SO wrong!!

As realsis said it is contagious, and your birds are carriers for life. It won't go away as long as you have them. You have 2 choices - continue to treat your flock when symptoms appear, or cull them all, disinfect everything and start over.

 

[realsis]

I can't believe he sold you birds full well knowing they had IB! This is the most un ethical practice I've ever heard of! He's put your entire flock at risk and he should be shut down! He should owe you money for every single bird you have! Shame on him!

 

[lvigil98]

In his defense he did not sell them knowing that they had it. It wasn't until a couple days later when I spoke to him that he told me his had been infected by some chickens he had gotten earlier in the day when I picked up mine. He told me how to treat them and offered to take them back and gave me a replacement for the one that did die. But we have gotten chickens from others now and I did not realize that even though it was gone in my chickens the new ones would now get infected. And apparently one of the original ones did not get it the first time and now it is one of the ones that is doing so badly.

We are not adding anymore chickens to our flock and I am treating them with tylosin and another antibiotic. But I am at the point I am ready to cut my loses and just be done. If it weren't for the fact the my little ones love the chickens so much that is exactly what I would be doing.

One more question? I'm a little confused. Is this something that will just come up every so often as long as I have these chickens or is it one of those things where once they have had it they will no longer get it again.

Funny thing is my two roosters haven't shown any signs and look great through this whole thing.

 

[City2CountryGirl]

What are the symptoms? I just recently had another chicken die. im seriously heartbroken today...I got my pullets from a poultry sale and I noticed one of them she wasnt moving around to well, really slow and not eating much. She stayed in a roosting position all the time and I found her today when i went to turn them out. They are all sneezing and making gurgling noises. I tried to examine their beaks as closely as i could and discharge looks clear. I am no vet, I just do research to learn on what I should do. I love my chickens and want to keep them healthy.