How to manage respiratory infection outbreak

[User635240]

Ok so there's some disease that's running its course through my layers now. I suspect it is from the coop floor dander that I raked up a few days ago. Two hens died this morning, probably from asphyxiation. Probably another 30-40 chickens are sick. How do I manage this to prevent additional losses? I've put out two waterers with tylosin, Mucinex and poultrycell. And am force feedingthis combo to those that are not reaching for food/water. A local poultry manufacturer says I need to clear out (relocate or cull) all the chickens and sanitize the coop with va...?Some chemical disinfectant.
I have so many other things going on right now (building waterfowl structure, personal health problems, trying to find time to build greenhouse before the winter). I have a 164' long electric fence but no outdoor shelter for the hens. Should I cull all the sick looking layers or give them all a chance? Should I cull the remaining meat birds? They are the worst, they just sit on the floor all day and get sick. Is letting the sick layers sit in the dander in the coop going to kill the rest of them? Should I move them all outdoors and erect a simple 16*8*8 wood frame box with a tarp over it? The weather here is high 70s-80s and rainy.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Ok so there's some disease that's running its course through my layers now. I suspect it is from the coop floor dander that I raked up a few days ago. Two hens died this morning, probably from asphyxiation. Probably another 30-40 chickens are sick. How do I manage this to prevent additional losses? I've put out two waterers with tylosin, Mucinex and poultrycell. And am force feedingthis combo to those that are not reaching for food/water. A local poultry manufacturer says I need to clear out (relocate or cull) all the chickens and sanitize the coop with va...?Some chemical disinfectant.
I have so many other things going on right now (building waterfowl structure, personal health problems, trying to find time to build greenhouse before the winter). I have a 164' long electric fence but no outdoor shelter for the hens. Should I cull all the sick looking layers or give them all a chance? Should I cull the remaining meat birds? They are the worst, they just sit on the floor all day and get sick. Is letting the sick layers sit in the dander in the coop going to kill the rest of them? Should I move them all outdoors and erect a simple 16*8*8 wood frame box with a tarp over it? The weather here is high 70s-80s and rainy.

I'm so sorry you're having troubles.

Was it a lot of dust that was stirred up, mold(?) or ?

What are the symptoms?

Is the housing still very dusty? If so, then moving them temporarily to another shelter may be helpful until you can finish cleaning up.
I assume you are trying to get some Virkon S or Oxine to clean with?

Hard to know if you should cull or just treat the hens. A lot would be depend on what you are dealing with. I understand that it may be difficult to get testing/necropsy, but that information would be very helpful to you in determining what next steps should be.

You mention 30-40 are sick, how many hens all together are affected/housed together?

The meat birds, have you had testing done on them? Are they failing as well?

 

[User635240]

I'm so sorry you're having troubles.

Was it a lot of dust that was stirred up, mold(?) or ?

What are the symptoms?

Is the housing still very dusty? If so, then moving them temporarily to another shelter may be helpful until you can finish cleaning up.
I assume you are trying to get some Virkon S or Oxine to clean with?

Hard to know if you should cull or just treat the hens. A lot would be depend on what you are dealing with. I understand that it may be difficult to get testing/necropsy, but that information would be very helpful to you in determining what next steps should be.

You mention 30-40 are sick, how many hens all together are affected/housed together?

The meat birds, have you had testing done on them? Are they failing as well?

Hey thanks for responding. Sorry I was very stressed yesterday. It looks like the worst was yesterday. Three hens died. There are maybe 10 more that are on the edge today. Have not done testing, privately will cost $400, through state free but have not responded. I think the issue is rat manure in the coop floor compost, that the meat birds ingest (they are always on the floor) then spread to the rest of the flock. Knock on wood, a pair of disabled chickens in a cage off the floor have been there the whole time and are not sick. Symptoms are congestion leading to asphyxiation, bubbling and mucus from eyes, conjunctivitis, anorexia. I'm not sure if this is the same pathogen that affected my turkeys, geese, and ducks because I don't see any paralysis among the chickens like with the exotic poultry. My friend in the next county over had her ducks tested and one had botulism and one had avian metapneumovirus. What I will do for them in the short term is isolate all the extremely sick chickens (maybe 10) outside with extra supportive care; I installed an exhaust fan last night in the coop which really improved the air quality. And as soon as I finish another project, I'll move all the chickens outdoors into an enclosed run for several weeks and then disinfect the coop.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hey thanks for responding. Sorry I was very stressed yesterday. It looks like the worst was yesterday. Three hens died. There are maybe 10 more that are on the edge today. Have not done testing, privately will cost $400, through state free but have not responded. I think the issue is rat manure in the coop floor compost, that the meat birds ingest (they are always on the floor) then spread to the rest of the flock. Knock on wood, a pair of disabled chickens in a cage off the floor have been there the whole time and are not sick. Symptoms are congestion leading to asphyxiation, bubbling and mucus from eyes, conjunctivitis, anorexia. I'm not sure if this is the same pathogen that affected my turkeys, geese, and ducks because I don't see any paralysis among the chickens like with the exotic poultry. My friend in the next county over had her ducks tested and one had botulism and one had avian metapneumovirus. What I will do for them in the short term is isolate all the extremely sick chickens (maybe 10) outside with extra supportive care; I installed an exhaust fan last night in the coop which really improved the air quality. And as soon as I finish another project, I'll move all the chickens outdoors into an enclosed run for several weeks and then disinfect the coop.

I'm sorry that all this is happening.

Going through your state lab will be a more thorough examination than likely a vet (which is expensive!).

Sounds like air quality is not ideal, so moving the birds while you work on getting it cleaned up will help.

If the air quality is bad for them, then it's bad for you, it would be wise to wear the best mask/breathing protection that you can get. Probably a respirator. Usually you can find those at home improvement stores, do read the packaging to help determine which filter/respirator would be best to use.

Birds that are sick, often will not drink very well, so if you are giving the medications in water, they may not get the full benefit or drink enough medicated water to be helpful. It's time consuming and I know you are under stress, heartache and are not doing well yourself, but if you can possibly syringe the medicated water into them a couple of times a day that might be a good idea.

Do you have someone that can come assist you with taking care of the birds or maybe help with the other animals or even the projects you are working on?

 

[dawg53]

I believe that you should depopulate. Your personal health issues take priority over chickens and other animals. I wish you the best and good luck.

 

[Eggcessive]

It looks like PA charges $30 for a backyard chicken necropsy. Sorry that you are dealing with this. I agree that down sizing might be a good thing, but getting a necropsy would be best.
http://padls.agriculture.pa.gov/PdfFiles/PADLSFeeSchedule.pdf

 

[User635240]

Hey

I'm sorry that all this is happening.

Going through your state lab will be a more thorough examination than likely a vet (which is expensive!).

Sounds like air quality is not ideal, so moving the birds while you work on getting it cleaned up will help.

If the air quality is bad for them, then it's bad for you, it would be wise to wear the best mask/breathing protection that you can get. Probably a respirator. Usually you can find those at home improvement stores, do read the packaging to help determine which filter/respirator would be best to use.

Birds that are sick, often will not drink very well, so if you are giving the medications in water, they may not get the full benefit or drink enough medicated water to be helpful. It's time consuming and I know you are under stress, heartache and are not doing well yourself, but if you can possibly syringe the medicated water into them a couple of times a day that might be a good idea.

Do you have someone that can come assist you with taking care of the birds or maybe help with the other animals or even the projects you are working on?

@wyorprock thanks for your attention to my post. I have been feeding the liquid to 8 chickens who seemed like they were in the worst shape. Also cleaning out everyone's eyes. It's amazing! After 12 hours outside in the yard (in cages) they all look so much better. One hen even 'said' she was ready to get out of the cage. I guess the next step is to move them all outside. Currently don't have (unpaid) help, although some neighbors offered to mow my lawn

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hey

@wyorprock thanks for your attention to my post. I have been feeding the liquid to 8 chickens who seemed like they were in the worst shape. Also cleaning out everyone's eyes. It's amazing! After 12 hours outside in the yard (in cages) they all look so much better. One hen even 'said' she was ready to get out of the cage. I guess the next step is to move them all outside. Currently don't have (unpaid) help, although some neighbors offered to mow my lawn

Glad they are improving.

If depopulation is not an option, I agree, at this point, moving them and focusing on cleanup is a very good idea.

Evaluate the ventilation in that coop/housing. Birds need plenty of fresh air even in winter, so you may find that running an exhaust fan all the time as well as adding more ventilation can be helpful.

You mentioned the meat birds were in there too. I've never had broilers, but have seen from others here on BYC that they produce a tremendous amount of waste. This will create a lot of ammonia which is bad for everyone. I don't see many mention raising broilers with their laying flocks, so it may be better to raise them in a different area in the future. I know you were considering building a couple of tractors, which I think is a great idea for the meat birds. Of course this takes time and money.

Sounds like you have some good neighbors. What a blessing for them to help you with the lawn, that will at least take one thing off your plate.

I hope you are able to get things straightened out. Reducing numbers certainly is something to consider doing, nothing wrong with that. At least for a while until you get things straightened out and your own health improves. I can't imagine what you are facing and it must be very hard to deal with.