Is it possible to have just one chicken with respiratory problems?

[JustBabyMargo]

Well, I know it is because I have one, but how is it possible? I have an 8 month old cockerel that has had respiratory problems since he was a few months old, and not another bird (none of the 60 other chickens, nor the 4 turkeys) has any symptoms at all. It seems like he has some allergies and asthma, maybe because of how he’s built? His symptoms include; occasional bubbly eyes- just a small patch in either eye, sneezing every now and then, and wheezing/breathing problems. If any pressure is applied to his stomach area, then he breaths hard. When mating, he gasps and wheezes some, and he, almost always, sneezes afterwards. He’s not the healthiest bird- he has bent up feet too, and it’s nothing new, I am just curious.

This is him-
For sizing reference; he is about 29 inches tall, and he is huge.

Crowing^

 

[JustBabyMargo]

This is just about the most terrible picture in the world, but he wouldn’t stop squirming. The bubbles, that sometimes show up in his eyes, are only ever seen in this spot-

 

[JustBabyMargo]

@azygous @Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock - any ideas?

 

[azygous]

Interesting pantaloons he has. If he has CRD, chronic respiratory infection, yes, he can be the only one exhibiting symptoms. The others my carry it but may not become symptomatic unless they suffer stress at some point. There are simple tests, not cheap, that can tell you. I'll give you the info if you're interested. However, you can only test for a specific disease you request. It's not a "tell me what he has" kind of test. You would probably ask for a throat swab to be tested for Mycoplasma gallisepticum.

But it may not be a CRD. It could be a simple recurring eye or sinus infection. Have you tried treating him with an antibiotic at any point? I would give it a try. Tylan 50 is a good one, and your feed store may carry it. You can get it here, if not. https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=30E07BC1-7B6A-11D5-A192-00B0D0204AE5 It comes in an injectable vial, but you will give it orally, but will require a needle syringe to get the dose out of the bottle.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have an 8 month old cockerel that has had respiratory problems since he was a few months old

occasional bubbly eyes- just a small patch in either eye, sneezing every now and then, and wheezing/breathing problems. If any pressure is applied to his stomach area, then he breaths hard. When mating, he gasps and wheezes some, and he, almost always, sneezes afterwards. He’s not the healthiest bird- he has bent up feet too, and it’s nothing new, I am just curious.

You can try antibiotics as suggested to see if that makes a difference in his symptoms.

Interesting set of symptoms too. Are you using him in your breeding program? If you are, then I would reconsider. "Not the healthiest bird" is not one I would want to sire offspring.

 

[JustBabyMargo]

Interesting pantaloons he has. If he has CRD, chronic respiratory infection, yes, he can be the only one exhibiting symptoms. The others my carry it but may not become symptomatic unless they suffer stress at some point. There are simple tests, not cheap, that can tell you. I'll give you the info if you're interested. However, you can only test for a specific disease you request. It's not a "tell me what he has" kind of test. You would probably ask for a throat swab to be tested for Mycoplasma gallisepticum.

But it may not be a CRD. It could be a simple recurring eye or sinus infection. Have you tried treating him with an antibiotic at any point? I would give it a try. Tylan 50 is a good one, and your feed store may carry it. You can get it here, if not. https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=30E07BC1-7B6A-11D5-A192-00B0D0204AE5 It comes in an injectable vial, but you will give it orally, but will require a needle syringe to get the dose out of the bottle.

Ooh, okay. Lots of great information there. I don’t think my parents would be up for testing him, but I’ll see if we can try some antibiotics. Thanks!

 

[JustBabyMargo]

You can try antibiotics as suggested to see if that makes a difference in his symptoms.

Interesting set of symptoms too. Are you using him in your breeding program? If you are, then I would reconsider. "Not the healthiest bird" is not one I would want to sire offspring.

Okay, thank you! No, we aren’t planning on breeding him for chicks whatsoever. Another thing is that he displays these “tic” like behaviors. He is under quite a bit of stress, seeing as he is not the top rooster, and I wonder if he may have something neurological as well. He mostly just has breathing problems, and the bubbly eyes were seen more when it was cold out. He doesn’t usually have a hard time breathing, it’s normally just when mating, crowing, or being held, and his sneezing isn’t so bad.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

What are the "tic" behaviors? Got a video of him?

Being stressed can absolutely affect their health and make symptoms worse.

 

[JustBabyMargo]

What are the "tic" behaviors? Got a video of him?

Being stressed can absolutely affect their health and make symptoms worse.

I don’t, but he will stick out his neck and move it horizontally, back and forth, a few times, and then he will go back to his normal behavior. He also shakes his head sometimes as well.

We got him from a breeder that bred his breed for egg color, so I’m not sure if he is also a result of very poor breeding? One of his hatch mates has crossbeak and other chickens that we got from them have crossbeak and bent toes.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I don’t, but he will stick out his neck and move it horizontally, back and forth, a few times, and then he will go back to his normal behavior. He also shakes his head sometimes as well.

We got him from a breeder that bred his breed for egg color, so I’m not sure if he is also a result of very poor breeding? One of his hatch mates has crossbeak and other chickens that we got from them have crossbeak and bent toes.

Personally, I wouldn't breed any of them then.

The moving of the head back and forth - is he clearing his crop?
I think all you can do is check his crop to see that it's emptying and try the antibiotics.