I Think I have Infectious Brochitis, do nothing?

[FlyingNunFarm]

It would be best to actually have a diagnosis, rather than guessing what's wrong. Some things are treatable and will go away, and some things are forever, and it's best to know. Call your state poultry lab if necessary, and find out what your best plan will be, moving forward. Meanwhile, don't add birds or move any to any other flock, and that includes eggs. Mary

Yes a vet and or testing is always ideal. I know it's not always possible.

If no vet is available and you can try and narrow it down for testing.

I don't have access to a chicken vet and testing can be an expensive stab in the dark. Trying to give as much info as I can.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sneezing without eye swelling or eye bubbles is usually a virus-- infectious bronchitis. It is normal to have a slowdown in laying with IB, and wrinkled egg shells or watery albumens (egg whites,) is common. In the fall when days are shorter, many people use a light in the coop a couple of hours in the morning to provide a total of 12 hours of light per day. Some do not do this, but pullets in their first year of life may lay all winter without the extra light.

 

[JillyChickyDee]

Hi everyone,

I have 10 chickens of varying ages between 3 months-2 years. They are all currently sick with a respiratory illness. It started 3 days ago. Some hens are worse off than others. Symptoms are sneezing, coughing, wheezing, gurgling in chest but NO nasal discharge, eye issues or facial swelling. The 2 girls that are have it worse seem a little depressed, wobbly and are not eating or drinking. Everyone else is acting normal except the sneezing, coughing et cetera. I am having a difficult time with diagnosis due to lack of discharge but am thinking it is IB. What do you all think, please help!

 

[Eggcessive]

Hi everyone,

I have 10 chickens of varying ages between 3 months-2 years. They are all currently sick with a respiratory illness. It started 3 days ago. Some hens are worse off than others. Symptoms are sneezing, coughing, wheezing, gurgling in chest but NO nasal discharge, eye issues or facial swelling. The 2 girls that are have it worse seem a little depressed, wobbly and are not eating or drinking. Everyone else is acting normal except the sneezing, coughing et cetera. I am having a difficult time with diagnosis due to lack of discharge but am thinking it is IB. What do you all think, please help!

It can be difficult to tell infectious bronchitis, a virus, from a mild case of mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG,) a bacteria-like disease. With the wheezing and gurlgling, it sounds more serious than IB, but you could get a couple tested for sure through a local agricultural extension agent or poultry lab. IB makes chickens and the flock carriers for up to a year, while MG makes them all carriers for life. Tylan 50 injectable, used orally or as a shot, can treat MG symptoms. Dosage is 0.2 ml per pound, given twice a day for 5 days. That is about 1 ml for 5 pound bird. If you lose one, you can get a necropsy by your state vet, and that would get a diagnosis. MG and IB are common in many backyard flock, and are brought in by new carriers or by wild birds. New birds will be exposed even when chickens are not showing symptoms. Vaccines are available.