Help please! My hen has a respiratory disease.

[IncognitoMode4723]

Oh...... I already started treating my other hen (the one not showing symptoms). Will anything bad happen to her?

 

[nuthatched]

Oh...... I already started treating my other hen (the one not showing symptoms). Will anything bad happen to her?

No, but you shouldn't give antibiotics to anything not showing clear infection, to prevent antibiotic resistance.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Oh...... I already started treating my other hen (the one not showing symptoms). Will anything bad happen to her?

No, not likely anything bad will happen, but treating her when she has no symptoms is not helpful either.

 

[IncognitoMode4723]

We gave her the Tylan for two weeks (from May 7th to May 21). It has not made any difference - in fact, I believe her symptoms may be slowly worsening. She is having more trouble breathing, and her breathing is sometimes louder. She still sneezes loudly also.

In the first week we used the dosage the package said, and the second week we doubled the dosage.

Does anyone know how I can contact a poultry expert?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

We gave her the Tylan for two weeks (from May 7th to May 21). It has not made any difference - in fact, I believe her symptoms may be slowly worsening. She is having more trouble breathing, and her breathing is sometimes louder. She still sneezes loudly also.

In the first week we used the dosage the package said, and the second week we doubled the dosage.

Does anyone know how I can contact a poultry expert?

I'm sorry she's not getting better.

You may be dealing with a virus or fungal infection if the antibiotics didn't help.

As for contacting a poultry expert, you can try contacting your local Agricultural Extension office to see if they can refer you to someone. Contact your own vet and ask if they see poultry or can recommend someone and lastly, you could call your state lab, they may be able to point you to a vet or expert in poultry. You can find your state lab below.
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

 

[IncognitoMode4723]

I am currently looking for a veterinarian in my area, and am also looking at the veterinarians suggested to my by others such as BarnyardChaos. Out of curiosity, do you guys think you could read this article and see what you think of it? I am doubtful as to how useful this person's advice is.

https://hencam.com/faq/the-spa-treatment/

 

[coach723]

Epsom salts soaks can help with many things, but if it's respiratory in nature it's less likely to help. It can help with pain and swelling, it can help a hen that is egg bound relax to help pass the egg, etc. I was directed by a dentist to soak in it to help detox my body after having mercury fillings removed from my teeth, so it can (purportedly) help detox. Giving oil (I usually use coconut) can help move things along in the digestive tract sometimes. I often soak a bird in it, did one yesterday that had a prolapse. But none of those things are respiratory in nature. A chickens respiratory system is very different than ours, and it can be much harder to treat issues there. The only caveat I would give is that if a bird is very ill, a bath or soak could possible put them over the edge. They can become hypothermic easily. So sometimes, with a very sick bird, it's not the best thing to do.
This is a just over 3 minute video that explains the avian respiratory system:

 

[IncognitoMode4723]

Bertha died last night.

I have only one hen left now - Percy. I will try taking her to the veterinarian soon to see if anything is wrong with her.

I do not want Percy to live alone, but I do not think I can go through losing any more chickens. Because of that I do not think that I will be able to keep Percy any more, and I will have to give her up.

Does any one have any suggestions as to reliable bird organizations/ bird homes that I can give her away to? Specifically locations around Austin, Texas?

 

[coach723]

I'm very sorry for your loss.
You may be able to ask local vets if they know of anything in your area, or local rescues that deal in other species.
If she's ill, it's going to make it hard to rehome her anywhere, if it's something contagious, it would put the rest of the birds at risk. So that would be the first step, finding out if she's ill with anything, or not, first.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Bertha died last night.

I have only one hen left now - Percy. I will try taking her to the veterinarian soon to see if anything is wrong with her.

I do not want Percy to live alone, but I do not think I can go through losing any more chickens. Because of that I do not think that I will be able to keep Percy any more, and I will have to give her up.

Does any one have any suggestions as to reliable bird organizations/ bird homes that I can give her away to? Specifically locations around Austin, Texas?