I think my 8 week old babies are getting a cold?

[Heddielynn]

Greetings! Alright, we got our five chicks from an awesome local lady. Three of our girls are from Meyer, and the other two are from her own flock. We noticed that one of the girls started closing her one eye all the time, and it looks weepy. Now it is clear and running. Tonight, another bird has a watery eye and another started yesterday with a soft half cluck/cough sound, NO nasal discharge, no crusty. They are all eating, drinking and normal stools. No odd smells. We are new at this and only have had our girls a week today. I put Apple cider vinegar 1 oz. per gallon in their water this morning and gave 3 crushed garlic cloves in their feed. Are we dealing with a cold? I have been reading a bunch on this, and now I am freaked that these babies have something horrible. Help!

Thanks,
Worried Peep Mom

 

[Eggcessive]

Sounds as though they may have a respiratory disease. Here is a good link: amerpoultryassn.com/respiratory_disease.htm. You might also contact the woman and ask if she has had CRG or MG in her flock. Her chickens may be carriers. There are different antibiotics for the different diseases for treatment, but they can get it again later if they get over it. So sorry you are dealing with this.

 

[teach1rusl]

I trust hatchery chicks. I don't trust chicks from other places. Too many illnesses and diseases are brought in from outside places. Don't get me wrong, the lady you got the two extras from may love her birds and have wonderful, clean facilities. But anything from mites and lice to mild respir. issues to severe respir. issues can be spread in places that look pretty good. I'd guess that those two had something that was brought from where they were. That's why so many on BYC preach quarantining for several weeks before exposing one's own flock to new birds from outside areas. Sometimes people get lucky and nothing is brought in, and sometimes they don't.

It sounds as if the bird has some kind of upper respiratory infection. Hopefully it's just something mild. The easiest approach would be to try some type of antibiotic like terramycin - can be put in their water. It's more mild than something like Tylan, and easier to administer. Tylan is better, but since it sounds mild at the moment...

 

[seminolewind]

Sounds as though they may have a respiratory disease. Here is a good link: amerpoultryassn.com/respiratory_disease.htm. You might also contact the woman and ask if she has had CRG or MG in her flock. Her chickens may be carriers. There are different antibiotics for the different diseases for treatment, but they can get it again later if they get over it. So sorry you are dealing with this.

X2

 

[Heddielynn]

Sounds as though they may have a respiratory disease. Here is a good link: amerpoultryassn.com/respiratory_disease.htm. You might also contact the woman and ask if she has had CRG or MG in her flock. Her chickens may be carriers. There are different antibiotics for the different diseases for treatment, but they can get it again later if they get over it. So sorry you are dealing with this.

I did contact her and she is being very helpful. She said none of her flock is sick nor has she ever had to deal with this. I have friends that have used her and love her, that is why we went to her. I really hope it is not CRG or MG. I live close to Tractor Supply. I looked online and they carry Tylan and Duramycin. Should I head on over in the morning and get some. Which would be better? I am worried...

 

[Heddielynn]

I trust hatchery chicks. I don't trust chicks from other places. Too many illnesses and diseases are brought in from outside places. Don't get me wrong, the lady you got the two extras from may love her birds and have wonderful, clean facilities. But anything from mites and lice to mild respir. issues to severe respir. issues can be spread in places that look pretty good. I'd guess that those two had something that was brought from where they were. That's why so many on BYC preach quarantining for several weeks before exposing one's own flock to new birds from outside areas. Sometimes people get lucky and nothing is brought in, and sometimes they don't.

It sounds as if the bird has some kind of upper respiratory infection. Hopefully it's just something mild. The easiest approach would be to try some type of antibiotic like terramycin - can be put in their water. It's more mild than something like Tylan, and easier to administer. Tylan is better, but since it sounds mild at the moment...

Can I get Terramycin at Tractor Supply? She is where I got all my birds. However, the three hatchery ones were all together in a different area/coop/brooderand the other two were in another coop. sigh, I am learning. We went with her because of my friend's recommendation and I was not sure if I wanted day olds right away. Luckily, they are too young to lay, so I wont have to worry about eggs having meds in them.

 

[teach1rusl]

Personally, since it doesn't sound too bad right now, I'd probably try the Dura first. I can't remember how many days of treatment - do a search. I will say the Tylan 50 kicks butt - but I'm squeamish with a needle. I did the injection thing (3 days straight) in a bird with a moderate respiratory infection, and it cleared up really quickly...but I was a nervous wreck each evening I had to inject the bird. If you're not squeamish, then go that route (I got 1/2 inch insulin needles from a pharmacy - 28 guage I believe).

Don't panic - many of us have been there and things worked out fine. OOPS...see that quarantining really wasn't an issue...

ETA: I believe TS sells Duramycin... (terra) They also sell Tylan