Help. Whole flock is sick.

[Spicyduck]

I have a coop with 17 chickens. Some are about 3 years old, some around 2 and others about 6 months old. They have been one by one getting sick. I have put up tin all around the base of their run so they are contained and do not spread anything. Also being very careful going in and out to not spread anything to anyone else. Today I noticed some of their eyes are bubbling. The sickness seems to only be affecting my older hens. So far the symptoms are sneezing, sort of coughing, rattling breathing at night, and now the bubbling eyes. No lethargy and they are all eating and drinking like normal. I have been giving them nurtidrench on their food, poultry booster and vet rx in the water and even making them special food to boost their immune systems. I'm looking into getting them tested for Mycoplasma gallisepticum but I live in a very rural area so any advice is welcome on how to help them and make them more comfortable.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm looking into getting them tested for Mycoplasma gallisepticum but I live in a very rural area so any advice is welcome on how to help them and make them more comfortable.

No lethargy and they are all eating and drinking like normal.

When was the last time you added new birds?

You can get testing through an independent lab or your state lab. Links are below.

Have you given any medications, if so, what have you given?

The birds that show symptoms, do they eventually get better on their own?

Bubbles in the eyes could be an indication of Mycoplasma, but you also note more rattling at nights, so you may be dealing with a virus like Infectious Bronchitis. It's very hard to know.

IF you have not been treating and they get better on their own, this may be the course of action to take, offering supportive care by making sure everyone continues to eat/drink well. In this case, giving some vitamins a couple of times a week for a boost may be all that's needed.

If they are not getting better on their own and you have birds dying, then testing is necessary.

To treat symptoms for Mycoplasma, Tylosin can be used, if you wish to try an antibiotic. The medication is not a cure and if you are dealing with MG, your flock will remain carriers even if they are recover.

If you are dealing with a viral infection, then offer supportive care. Infectious Bronchitis can makes birds carriers for up to a year.

Some reading about diseases is linked below.

https://www.zoologix.com/
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry...BJq-KV2h7eMuAI2ahUN8FjfI8aaDg7BHV9JKIrBkmFN3N

https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/PS044

 

[Spicyduck]

When was the last time you added new birds?

You can get testing through an independent lab or your state lab. Links are below.

Have you given any medications, if so, what have you given?

The birds that show symptoms, do they eventually get better on their own?

Bubbles in the eyes could be an indication of Mycoplasma, but you also note more rattling at nights, so you may be dealing with a virus like Infectious Bronchitis. It's very hard to know.

IF you have not been treating and they get better on their own, this may be the course of action to take, offering supportive care by making sure everyone continues to eat/drink well. In this case, giving some vitamins a couple of times a week for a boost may be all that's needed.

If they are not getting better on their own and you have birds dying, then testing is necessary.

To treat symptoms for Mycoplasma, Tylosin can be used, if you wish to try an antibiotic. The medication is not a cure and if you are dealing with MG, your flock will remain carriers even if they are recover.

If you are dealing with a viral infection, then offer supportive care. Infectious Bronchitis can makes birds carriers for up to a year.

Some reading about diseases is linked below.

https://www.zoologix.com/
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry...BJq-KV2h7eMuAI2ahUN8FjfI8aaDg7BHV9JKIrBkmFN3N

https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/PS044

The new birds were added in early November. I have not given any medication. I wasn’t sure what I should give. The first bird that showed symptoms seems to have gotten better but all of the others have not. Thank you for all of the info.