rosalindkate7
Hatching
- Aug 10, 2025
- 5
- 3
- 6
Hi! I want to get straight to the point—I’m currently dealing with a coryza outbreak in my flock that started about a week ago. After researching symptoms, I’m fairly certain this is what my birds have.
I’ve separated every bird showing symptoms into a kennel far away from the healthy flocks, but I’m looking for advice and support on how best to handle this situation. Here’s what’s happening:
I have four flocks:
Flock #1: An egg-laying flock with 3 roosters and about 30 hens (some birds from this flock have shown symptoms)
Flock #2: About 15 birds—a mix of breeders and grow-outs (some birds have shown symptoms)
Flock #3: Breeders only (no symptoms so far, and no exposure)
Flock #4: Grow-outs only (some birds have shown symptoms)
So far, 3 of the 4 flocks have shown symptoms.
It started with flock #4 when I noticed one young cockerel had a swollen eye that he hardly opened. At first, I thought it was a peck injury, but then I saw he was blind in that eye. I immediately separated him. Over the next few days, a few more birds in that flock developed swollen, pus-filled eyes, and I separated them as well. I began treatment as soon as I noticed symptoms.
Then symptoms appeared in flock #2. One rooster became lethargic with a purplish comb, and one hen had bulging eyes. A few grow-outs in that flock developed the same symptoms, and unfortunately, one recently died suddenly without showing prior symptoms.
Now, flock #3 is starting to show signs, with 4 birds already separated due to symptoms. This flock has shown the most severe symptoms so far.
I’ve been very careful with biosecurity—wearing gloves, changing clothes, ensuring feed is uncontaminated, and thoroughly washing up between handling sick and healthy birds.
For treatment, I’ve been flushing eyes with a homemade saline solution and applying Neosporin around crusty areas. I have doxycycline tablets (100mg) which I crush and dilute in water for dosing, adjusting amounts based on bird size. I’ve also been using colloidal silver eye drops, which seem to help. I've also been adding about 1/4 tsp of collodial silver to their water as well. Additionally, I’ve been giving them feed supplemented with a tiny bit of garlic powder and oregano to try to boost their immune system.
To help prevent spread, I’m adding small amounts of crushed garlic to the waterers, and garlic powder and herbs to their feed.
Feed-wise, I use Nutrena chick starter/grower for my grow-outs; Nutrena Ornamental Feed mixed with Purina Layena+ High Protein layer feed and Nutrena All-Flock for my breeders; and feed from a local mill for my egg layers. I sometimes ferment their feed as well. All birds have access to grit and oyster shells.
I’m really struggling with whether I should cull all the affected birds or try to continue treatment and keep them separated. I have a lot of money invested in these birds, and was super excited to use these birds for my breeding program for next year. Has anyone dealt with a similar outbreak? What did you do, and what would you recommend? Thank you in advance for any advice or insight!
I’ve separated every bird showing symptoms into a kennel far away from the healthy flocks, but I’m looking for advice and support on how best to handle this situation. Here’s what’s happening:
I have four flocks:
Flock #1: An egg-laying flock with 3 roosters and about 30 hens (some birds from this flock have shown symptoms)
Flock #2: About 15 birds—a mix of breeders and grow-outs (some birds have shown symptoms)
Flock #3: Breeders only (no symptoms so far, and no exposure)
Flock #4: Grow-outs only (some birds have shown symptoms)
So far, 3 of the 4 flocks have shown symptoms.
It started with flock #4 when I noticed one young cockerel had a swollen eye that he hardly opened. At first, I thought it was a peck injury, but then I saw he was blind in that eye. I immediately separated him. Over the next few days, a few more birds in that flock developed swollen, pus-filled eyes, and I separated them as well. I began treatment as soon as I noticed symptoms.
Then symptoms appeared in flock #2. One rooster became lethargic with a purplish comb, and one hen had bulging eyes. A few grow-outs in that flock developed the same symptoms, and unfortunately, one recently died suddenly without showing prior symptoms.
Now, flock #3 is starting to show signs, with 4 birds already separated due to symptoms. This flock has shown the most severe symptoms so far.
I’ve been very careful with biosecurity—wearing gloves, changing clothes, ensuring feed is uncontaminated, and thoroughly washing up between handling sick and healthy birds.
For treatment, I’ve been flushing eyes with a homemade saline solution and applying Neosporin around crusty areas. I have doxycycline tablets (100mg) which I crush and dilute in water for dosing, adjusting amounts based on bird size. I’ve also been using colloidal silver eye drops, which seem to help. I've also been adding about 1/4 tsp of collodial silver to their water as well. Additionally, I’ve been giving them feed supplemented with a tiny bit of garlic powder and oregano to try to boost their immune system.
To help prevent spread, I’m adding small amounts of crushed garlic to the waterers, and garlic powder and herbs to their feed.
Feed-wise, I use Nutrena chick starter/grower for my grow-outs; Nutrena Ornamental Feed mixed with Purina Layena+ High Protein layer feed and Nutrena All-Flock for my breeders; and feed from a local mill for my egg layers. I sometimes ferment their feed as well. All birds have access to grit and oyster shells.
I’m really struggling with whether I should cull all the affected birds or try to continue treatment and keep them separated. I have a lot of money invested in these birds, and was super excited to use these birds for my breeding program for next year. Has anyone dealt with a similar outbreak? What did you do, and what would you recommend? Thank you in advance for any advice or insight!
I'm just not sure what I need to do
