Infectious Bronchitis

[bcmama]

Does Infectious Bronchitis clear up on its own? I don't know if that is what they have as I don't hear any respiratory abnormalities but their eggs are telling a different story. I have one that is laying very diluted colored eggs some days but other days they are normal. I have another that has been laying wrinkley eggs at the top and another starting to do it.

Again I don't hear any symptoms but their eggs are telling a different story. I was thinking about starting them on Poly Vi Sol vitamins. Do you think it will help?

 

[dawg53]

Depending on the IB strain, it can pass through a flock without noticing symptoms. On the other hand, it could be a killer. Birds that have IB, will always have IB, but may not show symptoms. Egg production slows. Wrinkled eggs and watery whites are common in IB infected birds.
http://www.shagbarkbantams.com/ib.htm
http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pou...view_of_infectious_bronchitis_in_poultry.html

 

[bcmama]

Thanks. I have to wonder how they got it? They were healthy up until this spring. Now all of a sudden things look a little different? I hope vitamins and electrolytes work. Like I said no audible or visible symptoms.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sometimes in eggs, the color will be faded toward the end of the laying period. For instance in a Black Copper Marans who normally lays a dark brown egg, the color will fade toward their yearly molt. I have an easter egger who normally lays a blue green egg who will occasionally lay a grayish brown egg. Wrinkled eggs an be a sign of IB, but as Dawg said, chickens can have a mild strain without many symptoms. IB cn remain infectious for up to a year, so I wouldn't raise any chickens or add any new ones for at least a year.Here is a link about IB: http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/78/infectious-bronchitis-ib

 

[bcmama]

Thanks. They have already molted a I have ruled that out and they are still young only in their first full laying season. One would honk there would be some sort of symptom but it's only showing up in the eggs. I am sad to see this. I hope they are okay.

 

[Eggcessive]

Chickens don't have their first molt until about 18 months, then every year thereafter. I wouldn't be too upset about this. IB is out there in wild birds, so don't be too concerned about it. If you actually have this, and it is hard to culture after the first days of it, it really only affects chicks and very young chickens that much. Older birds will usually recover from any symptoms.

 

[bcmama]

Thanks. About how long does it run? This has been going on for at least a month now with goofy eggs. I should probably clarify that they started laying January 2013 and were born in July 2012. So this is actually their 2nd spring laying. Where does the time go??? I will start in with vitamins and elecrolytes tomorrow. I hope that helps.