Labored breathing

[Mahubbard]

I just got started in chickens again. I have not had them for a few years due to raccoons and possums' I never really had any health issues except scaly leg. I have hatched all my chicks in incubators. I have a few different ages. The older ones(about 5-6 weeks) are out in a coop they still have a heat light if they need it. I have noticed one seems to be breathing very hard, likes to lay under the lamp. I can see her whole body moving to breath, poop is normal she eats and drinks okay. I also have some younger ones in my shed (about 2-3 weeks old) and a lot of the seem to put a lot of effort to breath also. Can this be something that is inherited in the egg? (just seems like I read that from somewhere) or is there a broad spectrum antibiotic I should get to make sure a repertory infection doesn't run through my flock

 

[Eggcessive]

MG (CRD) can pass through the egg from the parent stock, but I don't know how hatchable those eggs would be. I would take a look around and make sure they have a lot of cross ventilation without direct drafts, and make sure they aren't too warm because those two things can cause more respiratory problems. But if they are sick, they may need more heat as you are doing for the one chick. Ammonia fumes from litter and dust or mold can also cause respiratory problems. Giving some vitamins and a probiotic in the water 3 days a week may help their immune systems to help them fight off infection. Watch them closely for symptoms of cocci--lethargy, puffing up, diarrhea, not eating. LS50 or Spec-Linx is used as well as oxytetracycline in the water if you suspect they have a respiratory disease, but I would hold off and watch for sneezing, watery eyes, or runny noses.

 

[Mahubbard]

They are in a large coop probably 10x12 the light they can get under if they want. It has large windows I open in the day they are not opposite each other so they don't get a cross draft. When I held her to my ear today I could hear weezing. Like I said she eats and drinks but then goes and lays wherever closes her eyes and even her tail rocks up and down while she is breathing. Her poo is solid and normal but some of the others have a really light brown loose poo. She is the only one in that group that seems to be affected. The other group that is in my shed were eggs bought off ebay so I don't know there parents living conditions, But like her they seem to put a lot of effort in to breathing but they are eating and drinking okay. I will try the vitamins tomorrow. What else should I have on hand in case things get worse I don't live near a farm supply store so I need to know what to have on hand.

 

[Eggcessive]

Corid or amprollium is for treatment of cocci if they show any symptoms. These are 3 medicines that would treat respiratory disease in chicks in their water. You can find them is some feed stores and online at this store: http://www.jefferspet.com/speclinx-50/p/A2-L5/