We are very new to chickens and need help...PLEASE one of our chickens is sick... we are very worried about her. ..her breathing is labored and noisy she appears to have mucus in her beak. I saw her poop but haven't seen her eat or today. Please help!
Welcome to BYC. Sorry to see your hen is in so much trouble. Her symptoms seems like a respiratory infection to me. If I were you I would separate her. Respiratory infections are very contagious and will likely spread to your other birds (if they aren't already infected). An antibiotic will be needed to treat her. Here is a link that will help you: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/755483/treating-upper-respiratory-infections Read up on that thread and I think you will learn a lot. Let me know how it goes. My best to you.
How old is Scarlet? She is really gasping in the video. Is she overweight that you know of? Is her lower belly swollen or tight? Have you seen any other chickens or other birds sick with a respiratory infection? Tylan 50 injectable is a good antibiotic to use for bacterial or mycoplasma infections. There are also viruses that cause infections, and those won't respond to the AB's. Dosage of the Tylan 50 is 1 ml for a 5 pound hen given orally or by injection, twice a day for 3-5 days. If she is closer to 7-8 pounds, I would give her 1.4-1.5 ml. Oxytetracycline or Tylan powder can be used in the water instead.
