Help. Respiratory home remedies not working

[Dbechel]

My chickens are about 2 years old. They have been very healthy until the past 6 months. I have been dealing with respiratory symptoms on and off. But now it is bad and have now lost a chicken because of it.

I took in 3 new chickens from a healthy flock in June of last year. Come November when it started getting cold (I am in Minnesota) they had first round of respiratory. Started treatment with home remedies and vet rx but then moved to tylan powder. The Tylan cleared it up then come late December and I have the same thing. Treated with Tylan powder and again good to go. Now this time it is back worse than ever and now had a chicken die. I started again with the Tylan powder but I am wondering if I am missing something or this has just been lovely Minnesota weather. Hot and cold on and off all winter.

Coop 8x12, wood shavings for footing, free choice food and water. Good ventilation.

Symptoms… sneezing, coughing, runny noses, 1 rooster with eye discharge (not bubbly), congestion sound, and extending their necks to breathe. And 2 that are making some weird cackling noise that honestly sounds like they are dying.

Thank you!

 

[TheOddOneOut]

It’s very possible it was a chronic disease brought in by the newer birds.
Remind me, is Tylan an antibiotic?

 

[Dbechel]

It’s very possible it was a chronic disease brought in by the newer birds.
Remind me, is Tylan an antibiotic?

Yes Tylan is an antibiotic

 

[TheOddOneOut]

I’m not a medical expert so I’ll refrain from suggesting forms of treatment…some others may know though.
@Eggcessive @Overo Mare @azygous

 

[Eggcessive]

Some respiratory diseases such as mycoplasma gallisepticum, are chronic for life, and symptoms can come and go with stress, weather changes, and molting. If symptoms get better with Tylan, then MG is probably the problem. If you lose another chicken, I would send the body in to your state vet for a necropsy, where they would test for MG and a fee other disease. Sorry for your loss.

 

[Painted Calls]

Some respiratory diseases such as mycoplasma gallisepticum, are chronic for life, and symptoms can come and go with stress, weather changes, and molting. If symptoms get better with Tylan, then MG is probably the problem. If you lose another chicken, I would send the body in to your state vet for a necropsy, where they would test for MG and a fee other disease. Sorry for your loss.

Agreed.

 

[Dbechel]

Some respiratory diseases such as mycoplasma gallisepticum, are chronic for life, and symptoms can come and go with stress, weather changes, and molting. If symptoms get better with Tylan, then MG is probably the problem. If you lose another chicken, I would send the body in to your state vet for a necropsy, where they would test for MG and a fee other disease. Sorry for your loss.

Thank you. I will try to look into sending in. I was quoted $300 for a necropsy. Is that about right?

 

[Eggcessive]

What state are you in? Prices vary from state to state. In a few it can cost $20-30, but it can be much more than that in some state. Have you called and asked your state vet lab? If you go through a local vet, it will cost even more. You canntry to get testing through a lab called Zoologix, who do pcr tests for up to 8 diseases here:
https://www.zoologix.com/avian/Datasheets/PoultryRespiratoryPanel.htm

Here is the link for most state vets:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I agree, getting a necropsy to see what you are dealing with is a good idea.

The birds are getting plenty of fresh air and ventilation in the coop correct? It's not closed up tightly.