Hen Gurgling... need help planning a treatment...precautions

[Bocktobery 10]

Both birds look better.... both now munching on treats (strawberries, egg, yogurt, greens, oats). I heard no gurgle from the gifted hen for hours now. She looks to be having some trouble though, not anything alarming. Leghorn looks happy and is much more active. Checked on and spent time observing the flocks- nobody else looks poorly....just chilled a bit (we have a cold front coming in, windy and rainy).

I’ll update, but thanks so much for helping me out.

 

[Bocktobery 10]

Just something si noticed with both sick hens... they’re seeming to have difficulties putting their head down to peck and eat. Like they will start putting their head down to eat but stop halfway and bring their head back up. The leghorn even kept yawning after doing this repeatedly, or opening her mouth wide as if to get air.

Is this a symptom of anything specific? I’m only assuming that if it’s something respiratory putting their head down like that might cause an inner pressure because of any possible phlegm or mucus collected up there. But I’m really not sure. It has me worried a bit (again).

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Just something si noticed with both sick hens... they’re seeming to have difficulties putting their head down to peck and eat. Like they will start putting their head down to eat but stop halfway and bring their head back up. The leghorn even kept yawning after doing this repeatedly, or opening her mouth wide as if to get air.

Is this a symptom of anything specific? I’m only assuming that if it’s something respiratory putting their head down like that might cause an inner pressure because of any possible phlegm or mucus collected up there. But I’m really not sure. It has me worried a bit (again).

I'm sorry you are having troubles
Just some additional thoughts I had from quickly reading through your posts. I would continue with the meds to see if they continue to improve some.
Can you look inside their beaks for any plaques or canker?
Crop on both hens are empty in the morning before eating/drinking?

 

[Bocktobery 10]

Wyorp, thank you.

I’ll definitely continue the meds...I haven’t checked yet to see how many days treatment with the Oxytetracycline...i’m thinking it’s 5 days? Truly both of them are seemingly stable now, meaning they are not showing any signs of getting worse, but I’ll continue the course of antibiotics.

I don’t know how long it takes to get rid of the contagion. Are they free of being infectious when the course of the antibiotics is over or is there something else I should do to eradicate risk of spreading? I clean the cages out regularly to clear any germs (for their health’s sake)....the poop is still quite tart and stinky. (I’ll be happy once the chickens are healthy and settled back the coop!). Both are eating today. Went straight to it. And yes, I’d been checking the crops.. New hen’s crop totally cleared while leghorn’s crop seems empty but it feels thick, as if the walls of the crop are muscular. I’m assuming that’s just how she is. I didn’t feel any content within it when I checked in the morning -it was just thick.

I do want to take a look in the mouth and throats but I’m concerned about stressing out the new girl. She is not like my usual tame chicken personalites and is skittish. I was hoping to use the quarantine time to try and get her used to me and win her trust. (Actually the leghorn that is also sick is one of my few who are skittish as well) I did put some Vetrx on both of their beaks yesterday for possible congestion. I think what’s stopping me from looking in the mouths and throats is the fear that I’ll somehow contaminate myself and bring the germs to my flock. I’m still totally surprised that this new hen got sick so easily even after I was extremely careful (bleaching cages and dishes, washing surfaces and walls, changing clothes and washing them immediately, etc) So knowing that all that precaution didn’t stop it has got me anxious to handle them in case of spreading it to my healthy birds. I guess it was just in the air of the house wafting around enough for her to get sick.....just puts me in a state of unease. It’s like wildfire. I put so much love and care into my birds to lose them to an outbreak would be horrific, yet one knows it can happen and does all the time. How do you stop it, ya know?

 

[Eggcessive]

Oxytetracycline can be used for 7 days, and up to 14 days if needed:
https://www.drugs.com/vet/oxytetracycline-hcl-soluble-powder.html

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I’ll definitely continue the meds...I haven’t checked yet to see how many days treatment with the Oxytetracycline...i’m thinking it’s 5 days?

I don’t know how long it takes to get rid of the contagion. Are they free of being infectious when the course of the antibiotics is over or is there something else I should do to eradicate risk of spreading?

I think what’s stopping me from looking in the mouths and throats is the fear that I’ll somehow contaminate myself and bring the germs to my flock. I’m still totally surprised that this new hen got sick so easily even after I was extremely careful (bleaching cages and dishes, washing surfaces and walls, changing clothes and washing them immediately, etc) So knowing that all that precaution didn’t stop it has got me anxious to handle them in case of spreading it to my healthy birds.

Getting rid of contagion...it depends on what you are dealing with unfortunately. Can you get any testing? There are many diseases, especially respiratory diseases that are spread through dust, dander, etc. Even being very careful like you have been, it can be hard to stop the spread.
You can try using something like Virkon S or Oxine to clean with instead of bleach.

I understand your anxiety about handling them for fear of spreading illness. Do that last when you are going to change and launder clothes. I do think it would be worth taking a look just to make sure there's no canker. It's interesting that the Leghorn's crop feels "thick".

 

[Bocktobery 10]

Getting rid of contagion...it depends on what you are dealing with unfortunately. Can you get any testing? There are many diseases, especially respiratory diseases that are spread through dust, dander, etc. Even being very careful like you have been, it can be hard to stop the spread.
You can try using something like Virkon S or Oxine to clean with instead of bleach.

I understand your anxiety about handling them for fear of spreading illness. Do that last when you are going to change and launder clothes. I do think it would be worth taking a look just to make sure there's no canker. It's interesting that the Leghorn's crop feels "thick".

Sorry for late reply.. I could not get on the internet!

No, I can’t unfortunately get testing done. I suppose that would clear up all questions quite fast. If I wanted to, do I just take them to the vet or is there some other place?

Anyway, yes, I have oxine... should I be vaporizing the coop? I only bleached in the house (not everything).

Both hens are doing fine. No new sickies so far. (whew!). I looked down their throats and saw nothing, all clear, no canker. (I’ve seen it before years ago... awful stuff! But it healed up for that one hen who did have it, in fact I still have her.). Things seem in the clear. Thank you to everyone.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Sorry for late reply.. I could not get on the internet!

No, I can’t unfortunately get testing done. I suppose that would clear up all questions quite fast. If I wanted to, do I just take them to the vet or is there some other place?

Anyway, yes, I have oxine... should I be vaporizing the coop? I only bleached in the house (not everything).

Both hens are doing fine. No new sickies so far. (whew!). I looked down their throats and saw nothing, all clear, no canker. (I’ve seen it before years ago... awful stuff! But it healed up for that one hen who did have it, in fact I still have her.). Things seem in the clear. Thank you to everyone.

It stinks when the internet is down! LOL

For testing, your state lab would likely be cheaper than a vet depending on where you live (state?). Some people use an independent lab like Zoologix and have the respiratory panel run. They send you a swab kit. That's something like $95 from what I've heard. Depends on your state testing can sometimes be "free" to expensive soooo, it's always worth checking out.

If you have no other birds in the coop showing symptoms of illness, then no, I would not vaporize the coop. IF your coop is really dusty then cleaning it may be helpful. Some people do use Oxine to spray in the coop once it's "clean". Heaven knows it's time for me to clean mine for winter, it's dusty and needs a good vacuuming! I have plans to get that done in the near future.

Glad they both seem to be better!

 

[Bocktobery 10]

Hey, thank you Wyorp for all of that!

I didn’t know about the Zoologix lab...that’s a great resource to have. Are they reliable? I know nothing about them, but will check it out.

No one else is showing signs of illness, thankfully. Both girls are fine now. I cleaned my coop recently so I wonder if just oxine-ing the place while they’re freeranging could do it some good. I’ll be adding more bedding for the winter soon.

Anyway, thanks again.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hey, thank you Wyorp for all of that!

I didn’t know about the Zoologix lab...that’s a great resource to have. Are they reliable? I know nothing about them, but will check it out.

No one else is showing signs of illness, thankfully. Both girls are fine now. I cleaned my coop recently so I wonder if just oxine-ing the place while they’re freeranging could do it some good. I’ll be adding more bedding for the winter soon.

Anyway, thanks again.

I have never used Zoologix, but know quite a few have, so I would think it would be good.
I'm glad the girls are fine now. I see no harm in giving a clean up with the Oxine while everyone is out and about.