I have a sick roo and need advise please

[chickchickchiky]

Ok so i purchased a Black Ameraucana roo along with 2 BCM pullets from a breeder. I have purchased from her in the past without any issues but this time i think i was not so lucky. The roo is coughing and shakes his head etc... I have been using the RX remedy that TSC sales for respiratory illness in birds but i wanted to come here and ask if there is anything else i should be doing for him. He is isolated from my flock along with the 2 pullets which seem fine for now but i am medicating them as well. I have contacted the breeder so she is aware and check her birds for further illness. They are all eating and drinking fine he is not lethargic at all just coughing and had some slime that came out of his mouth but only once. He was also heat stressed when i got him so at first i thought that was the issue. He does not have mucus on the nose area. Any advise?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Head shaking and coughing can be
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044
many diseases (diagnosis charts at bottom)

but can also be gapeworm

"An infected bird may give its head a convulsive shake in an attempt to remove the obstruction from the trachea so that normal breathing may be resumed."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gapeworm

but I'd think you would see air hunger with gapeworm???

Sorry I don't know what is wrong.

 

[chickchickchiky]

Ok so he is alert but when i pick him up and massage his crop he gurgles and coughs. I ordered some Tylon 50 injectable so i can treat him. Also i noticed that one of the pullets that is in with him had swollen eyes and is shutting them so i am going to treat all 3 of these birds with antibiotics and hope for the best.

 

[leadwolf1]

I would return them to the breeder, as quickly as you can! Respiratory problems in chickens can be treated but, they can't be cured! They will become carriers and when you introduce them in with your other birds, they will become sick also. This will continue with any new birds that you try and bring in. In times of stress, the illness will reappear and you will continually have to try and find a new antibiiotic to treat since the illness will become resistent to the drugs that you used in the past.

 

[chickchickchiky]

I have sent her an email to return the birds so hopefully she will take them back. I am really bummed cause that Ameraucana roo would have been part of my breeding program that i am starting but you are right i would not want to start it with sick birds for sure.

 

[leadwolf1]

There are plenty of healthy Ameracauna, was this a true Ameracauna?...roos that need homes....they are posted on here all the time. Start your breeding program with the healthiest birds that you can find.

 

[chickchickchiky]

Yes he is a true ameraucana there is another breeder he is just far away from me but i am going to contact him and see about getting a Blue roo from him. He has 4 month olds for sale.

What's sad is that i have bought chicks from this breeder in the past with no issues. I think the Heat here is affecting her flock very badly and due to stress bringing up sickness in them.

 

[leadwolf1]

I am a little concerrned that all her birds might be carriers, then.

 

[chickchickchiky]

I am a little concerned that all her birds might be carriers, then.

Well i bought those from her as chicks from the incubator so they may have not been exposed to whatever it is going on in her flock. These birds are the first ones i have bought from her already feathered etc... I have made arrangements with her to return them. She totally understands and is wondering what it could be. I explained to her what the symptoms are and she is saying that none of her flock are acting sick at all and she does not hear any noises from them at night. Luckily i noticed this on the way home with the rooster so i quarantined all 3 of them and now one of the BCM pullets is acting sickly so whatever it is it spreads.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
Whew what a close call!!!