Help! Sick chickens

[Taj_MaChicken]

We got a few chickens from a woman who had them in horrible living conditions a few days ago. Severely underweight, no access to clean water, or food, for that matter, beak issues, and one has bumblefoot on both feet.

One of the girls I thought was purring (I've heard of it before) the first day we brought them home, and put them in quarantine. Now that I've been able to spend some time with them, get them some food and water, and clean living quarters, I've noticed that it's more of a gurgling sound. I've seen her cough, sneeze, and now has discharge from her nostrils. And she has problems opening her one eye.

I couldn't tell you if anything about her smells, because they smell horrible from living in filth.

Do I need to get an antibiotic in them before it's too late?!

 

[nchls school]

I would treat them all with antibiotics for respiratory issues. If you have other poultry be sure to keep the new birds isolated and change clothes and shoes before handling other birds you already have. Some diseases can be spread on clothing and shoes.

 

[Taj_MaChicken]

I would treat them all with antibiotics for respiratory issues. If you have other poultry be sure to keep the new birds isolated and change clothes and shoes before handling other birds you already have. Some diseases can be spread on clothing and shoes.

We have them completely separated in another coop across the yard, and we've been careful about our clothing and shoes.

 

[nchls school]

We have them completely separated in another coop across the yard, and we've been careful about our clothing and shoes.

That's great. All to often people forget to take precautions and end up with...

 

[Eggcessive]

You might want to get the chicken tested by Zoologix, a company that will mail you swabs to collect and mail in to them. They do a respiratory panel for about $90 that tests for the common viruses and bacterial diseases, such as infectious bronchitis, MG, coryza, and ILT. KY is not one of the most helpful states for getting necropsies and testing on chickens. Here is a link:
http://www.zoologix.com/avian/Datasheets/PoultryRespiratoryPanel.htm
MG, ILT, and coryza can make your chickens carrier for life, and may be reportable diseases in some states.