HELP!! my feather babies are sick (It's not that bad... BUT STILL HELP)

[FactoryReject]

For the past 3-4 weeks I have been getting wrinkly eggs. I did not care and thought it was kinda cool. One day I looked it up and I am pretty sure they have Infectious Bronchitis! What do I do? I looked it up and it is pretty much a cold... but still!! I can't tell if they are unhappy or not!! I'm going to be honest... (I'm a bad chicken owner because of this but,) I have ducks and they love their kiddie pool. They poop in it a lot and I should clean it out daily but I avoided it for about 2 weeks... and that is my ducks and chickens only water supply. Is this the reason they are sick? I have gone back to cleaning it out daily but I'm not sure. Their combs are bright red (as usual). They still eat, drink, play, sleep, mate, and lay. Pretty much no difference in behavior. I picked them all up and they have no breathing noises that would worry me. Their poop looks the same. They still give me cuddles . So whats wrong? Please help.

 

[my gang eats grass]

If they aren't looking sick, it might be a calcium deficiency.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

Maybe try getting the chickens an actual chicken waterer and put some Apple Cider Vinegar in their water. That'll boost up their immunity.

Don't worry, nobody is perfect. My chickens water sometimes gets dirty, too.

 

[Weeg]

@KaleIAm @azygous @Wyorp Rock
My advice to you, take a deep breath, and look at other possibilities.
This happened to me a couple weeks ago. I noticed bubbly eyes, did some googling, and comply convinced myself they had a respiratory infection. I freaked out, totally panicked. Turned out it was a simple eye infection and nothing to be worried about.

The problem is the only diagnosis google comes up with is respiratory infection which is what caused me to worry. Remember, there are plenty of other reasons for this, it may be something incredibly simple.
Its hard though, as respiratory infections are really scary since they carry it for life. I get that, and feel your pain as its incredibly easy to become worried. Hang in there until experts arrive.

 

[Weeg]

Now, are they exhibiting any other symptoms of respitry infection? Head shaking, nasal or ocular discharge, sneezing, coughing?
I also suggest you look through this article on egg deformities, and there causes. I read it the other day for fun, and it was very interesting. It does have a section about wrinkly eggs as well, and I remember there were 2 other diagnosis's rather then infectious Bronchitis. Hopefully experts will chime in soon.
I'm hoping its something minor!

 

[KaleIAm]

Thanks for the tag, @Weeg

First of all, I think you having other drinking water sources aside from swimming water is important since ducks poop in their swimming water. I just use water buckets, and change them 2-3 times daily.

My ducks do have infectious bronchitis. The way to get a diagnosis is with a blood test at a vet. When ducks first contract the virus they can have respiratory symptoms, and after that the virus lives in the egg shell gland indefinitely. If you have it/think you have it you might want to consider keeping a closed flock (no birds in or out) so that you don't spread it or condemn new birds to life with the virus.

I don't actually know anything about chickens. I only have ducks. But my avian vet told me that there is no cure for infectious bronchitis, only supportive care for the symptoms.

 

[Weeg]

Sorry, heres the link to that article. It took me a second.
I agree about the additional water sources as well, thats really important.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/common-egg-quality-problems.65923/

 

[Weeg]

I don't actually know anything about chickens. I only have ducks. But my avian vet told me that there is no cure for infectious bronchitis, only supportive care for the symptoms.

Wait a second, why did I think the OP was talking about ducks? Maybe it was the duck drinking water that threw me off.

 

[Miss Lydia]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/common-egg-quality-problems.65923/

I do believe I would give them access to fresh water daily, buckets deep enough they can dunk their heads in, Drinking poopy water all the time may eventually cause them to be sick.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Wait a second, why did I think the OP was talking about ducks? Maybe it was the duck drinking water that threw me off.

They say they have ducks.