Junky Cough?

[MadisonOde]

Last night I set her up with some ACV in her water and a mister with peppermint oil. I’ve been sitting out here with her for a while and I’ve only heard 2 sneezes. I think she’s doing better?

 

[azygous]

Just two sneezes? The cough is gone this morning?

 

[MadisonOde]

I talked to the breeder, he said that that’s common in his line of dark brahmas, and they run with all the other birds and they’re the only ones with symptoms. He said he wouldn’t worry about it, but if I’m nervous I could get a refund or exchange for a different bird. I would rather keep mine, as she is a beautiful bird, but I am a little nervous. He has been doing this for 40 years, and is one of the top breeders around here. I’ve also had two of his birds in the past which were great. Thoughts?

 

[azygous]

I agree with the breeder. Don't worry about it. If this breeder's stock is carrying a CRD virus, he's also likely managed to breed resistance into them.

 

[MadisonOde]

I agree with the breeder. Don't worry about it. If this breeder's stock is carrying a CRD virus, he's also likely managed to breed resistance into them.

I think so too. I’m just worried about if I take her to a show and she coughs or breathes like that is she going to be disqualified, or anything?

 

[azygous]

If she is carrying a CRD virus, even if she's developed resistance to it and probably won't ever get very sick when she does show symptoms, she can still pass the virus on. Therefore, it will be your responsibility to keep her at home if she becomes symptomatic prior to plans to show her.

 

[MadisonOde]

So will the sneezing go away, or will it continue? Would it just be better for me to get a different bird?

 

[azygous]

Sneezing will likely go away. Any other chicken from this breeder is likely to be carrying the CRD and could also become symptomatic from time to time.

Oxine is a wonderful all purpose disinfectant, and I recommend you get some. https://www.revivalanimal.com/product/oxine-animal-health-ah?sku=15101-801 It's especially useful in treating CRDs that are producing upper respiratory bacterial infection symptoms such as this chicken has been experiencing. Use it in a mister and it can help get rid of the infection, even though the virus isn't going anywhere.

 

[MadisonOde]

So would it be safe to show with that disinfectant? Also what will happen to my other birds? Would it be safer to just get a refund?

 

[azygous]

If your other chickens have been in proximity to the little red hen while she was coughing and sneezing, they now have the virus and could become symptomatic at some point.

As far as I know, CRD needs to be symptomatic in order for the virus to travel to other chickens. So you'd probably be okay showing the red if she isn't showing symptoms.

Understand that the CRD virus won't be affected by any treatment, including Oxine. Only the secondary bacterial infection will respond to treatment. The reason why the CRD virus is immune to antibiotic treatment is because viruses do not have cells for the antibiotic to break down. They enter the cells of the chicken and those cells then become home to the virus for as long as the chicken is alive.