Hens sneezing, coughing, & rattling in chest.

[AnimalMommy]

Hi, please help me. I bought 4 hens Saturday from the local flea market and two of them are really sick.

Two 1-year old Buff Orpinton hens
Two 7-month old Cochin hens

Last night I noticed one of the Cochins sneezing. This morning the other Cochin was sneezing, coughing. I picked her up and while I was holding her I noticed her chest rattling really bad when she was breathing. I haven't seen any discharge from her nose or mouth but her head smells really bad. It smells like a dead animal. I gave everyone some yogurt this morning. Also I started everyone on Wazine this morning.
As the day went on the second Cochin seemed to sneeze and cough more so I took her and the other Cochin and serperated them from the flock. The Buffs seem to be doing fine which I don't understand as I purchased them all from the same person. I am so worried. I don't know if I should order some antibiotics or what. I am so frustrated as I have lost almost all of my flock due to cocci and predators. I thought I was going to start over fresh but it seems like I have the worst luck ever.

 

[Camelot Farms]

Sounds like you have your hands full and not to rub salt in a wound....but always quarantine your newcomers....for exactly this reason.

But, lets see if we can get you some help.

I'm a bit worried about the smell but you said no discharge from nose/eyes.
If you see that, then you need to get some info on Coryza

If it were me, I would start an antibiotic since it seems contagious. I would treat the whole flock just to be on the safe side and I know that others would give different advice.

I know this doesnt answer all of your questions or solve the problem but hopefully its a start.

*hugs*

 

[AnimalMommy]

Okay, thank you for your advice. I think I will order some Tylan 50 and see what that does. I just am so tired of these types of disaters..

 

[Camelot Farms]

I hate when things that are supposed to be fun go wrong.

*hugs* to you and your birds.

They'll be perked up in no time!

 

[emilyweck]

I'm really sorry!

I'm going through a similar situation with one of my birds. It is the first one that has been sick since I've had them. It's just so hard when you want them to be healthy and want to do the best. I just hate the guessing game. I did start her on Duramycin and I think I'll get some Tylan tomorrow. She doesn't have the smell that you are describing, though.

Keep us posted on the progress of your baby! Good luck!

 

[quiltnchik]

One of my roos had the same symptoms a few weeks ago. I got the Tylan 50 and some syringes and, after the 3 days of injections, he was as good as new!

 

[speckledhen]

I'm sorry, but if you've never had illness in your flock, cull them. That is what quarantine is for, to cull if you see anything like you described, so your flock doesnt come down with an incurable illness. And most of the illnesses that have those symptoms make them carriers for life, which is why flea markets are probably the worst place to get birds.

Tylan is for respiratory stuff, however, even if you get rid of the symptoms, they are technically still ill, if it's a carrier disease. Coryza is a carrier disease.

 

[AnimalMommy]

Oh my. I know that I should probably cull, but I just can't bring myself to do it. How long should I keep them seperated from the rest of the flock? Or does it even matter since they will still carry it anyway? I have them in a temporary make-shift small shelter right now and I feel really sorry for them when the rest of the girls have free run of the yard.

 

[Camelot Farms]

I would not reintroduce to the flock until they have had no symptoms for 24-36 hours and even then you run the risk of them being carriers and spreading it anyways.

Culling sound cruel but it would be more cruel to spread it to all of your birds...

Best of luck...

 

[AnimalMommy]

Thank you everyone for the advice. I am just sitting tight now and waiting for the Tylan to come in the mail. I hope that it is not too late!!