Medicate whole flock?

[Xtradust]

I have some chicks in the brooder that came down with a cold/respiratory infection a few weeks back. They are probably 2 months old or a little older. It has come on slowly.

I tried to give them vitamins, warmer temps and increased ventilation, etc., to get them over the cold, but it just got worse. Eventually, one had her eyes crusting over and I figured enough was enough. I put them on antibiotics. Terramycin to be exact.

They are getting better. Slowly. Started them on Saturday.

Yesterday, I saw a chicken in my outdoor coop, not the brooder with the other sickies, sneeze a couple of times.

Today, I saw the same one sneeze, with a little clear fluid from the nostrils and another one sneezed too.

My question is, should I put the outdoor chickens on Terramycin before they all get it and it will be harder to fight?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Matt

 

[DrakeMaiden]

If you didn't wash up well (or change your clothes) after interacting with the sick chicks, then yes you might have passed it on to the others. If you think they might be getting sick, you should probably treat them as well.

 

[speckledhen]

And depending on what they have (chickens don't get the common cold), Terramycin may be completely useless as it is extremely mild and most of the time, it isn't used in a strong enough dosage to be effective at all anyway. Check out these links:
http://www.shagbarkbantams.com/page22.htm
http://www.shagbarkbantams.com/ib.htm
http://www.shagbarkbantams.com/laryng.htm

 

[Xtradust]

Infectious Coryza it is. Thanks for the articles! Read them all.

They eat and drink plenty. Seems like it's possible for them to croak in 24 to 48. They are 2 weeks past that.

So, what to do about Infectious Coryza? Should I increase the dosage on the Terramycin? Give it up completely?

I'm currently giving them 1 tsp per quart. They drink out of quart waterers. I gave them a tsp and a half per quart for the first two days.

Thanks for all help and advice!
Matt

 

[speckledhen]

Matt, I'm definitely not the one to ask about that one. I just wanted you to read those so you could match symptoms and see what some experts had to say. The problem is that things like this make birds carriers, so my personal way to handle an infection like IB or IC is to cull rather than treat. Just my own personal choice so I dont use antibiotics. I just know that Terramycin is so mild that it doesnt really do much. Not sure what the med of choice would be for either of those infections. Does the discharge smell really awful? That's one characteristic of Coryza, the smell. I did find this for you, in case that's what they have. It tells what drug to use to treat them:

Flock medication with a sulfonamide or antibiotic is recommended. Various sulfonamides -- sulfadimethoxine (SDM), sulfaqumnline (SQ), sulfamet hazine (sulmet) are all effective; however, sulfadimethoxine is the safest and the one prescribed as treatment of choice. SQ and Sulmet are more toxic and require intermittent administration. Therapy in the drinking water will give more immediate response and reduce the severity of the disease. Feed administration of the sulfa or antibiotic does extend the period of treatment for better control. A combination treatment approach is advisable. Administer medication in the drinking water until medicated feed can be provided. Antibiotics that are beneficial include tetracycline, erythromycin, spectihomycin and tylosin. All are safe and approved for use in poultry. Control cannot be accomplished with drugs alone. Management is equally important. A bacterin is available that can be used in a control or eradication program. The bacterin requires multiple injections to be effective which makes it costly and cumbersome for commercial flocks. Control requires attention to flock sanitation, biosecurity, preventive medication, clean and sanitary premises, and disease-free replacements.

That was taken from this website: http://www.peafowl.org/ARTICLES/15/​

 

[Xtradust]

Culling sure does fix the problem. Probably some bleach too.

If I understand this correctly, they will get over the symptoms (stuffy nose, etc.) but, they will be carriers for life.

Is that right?

If so, I'm cool with that. I've got a ton of chickens, more than I should, and they're all younger than 3 mos. My flock is set for a long time.

I would just have to practice biosecurity for my property.

Whaddaya think?

Thanks again a ton!
Matt

 

[MandyH]

Matt, a while back me and dh had to kill everything we owned (chicken wise) due to infetious coryza. I can tell you for sure once you have dealt with it, you do not ever want it again. Now I DO NOT buy chickens over 2 days old from ANYONE. I buy the eggs and hatch them myself. The one thing about the coryza is the smell IS PUTRID just as Cynthia described. You almost can't stand to smell it, and once you do you never forget it. We killed everything so as not to chance anyone having it, them burned the birds, and I sprayed a 4 acre pasture with bleach. I sprayed EVERYTHING in the pasture as well and let it fry for 2 months before EVER putting another bird near. That has been close to a year ago and we have not had any trouble since. The veterinarian told me the virus does not live long outside the chicken, but I waited months just be sure. It also can live a little longer in wet conditions.

 

[Xtradust]

Wow.

Kristen, I'm sorry you had to go through all that.

Is there a definite test for Coryza?

The only time I smelled anything was once when I was cleaning the sick chicks waterer and I thought that I had bad breath. Brushed my teeth and haven't smelled anything else since. Seriously. (well, mostly)

Should I bring the sick chickens back to where I got them. Eliminating the transmission problem. Then separate any chickens that I suspect are getting sick?

I just want to be sure it is what I think, before I do anything drastic.

Thanks,
Matt

 

[dlhunicorn]

Infectious coryza is very serious and normally hits hard and fast...before you know it the birds heads are all swollen from exudate and they stink. (so I guess what I am wondering is if this really is coryza) On the other hand MG is also a possibility however there are many strains and though most birds have been exposed you may have brought in birds with a more virulent strain .
Try tylan and treat your entire flock if you are seeing symptoms in the outside birds? You might also post on the other byc board and get WES's opinion on a med.
You should add a good supplement for your birds in the winter. I suggest AviaCharge 2000 as it is a complete nutritional/vitamin supplement with everything in the correct ratios to each other which is sometimes crucial. Vit A is also a very important vit. connected to respiratory symptoms and you can give them POLYVISOL (a childrens liquid vit A-B-D supplement) three drops in beak once a day for a week then taper off the next. When it is cold the birds resources are primarily directed towards keeping warm and not fighting off pathogens.
As to whether or not to cull these chicks or give them back ...that is a decision you will have to make but I would ask WES's opinion on that too.

 

[User48]

Matt,

I would try emailing "the Chicken Doctor" at First State Vet Supply & running your situation by him. Here is the link:
http://www.firststatevetsupply.com/store/

I've read lots of posts from individuals on other lists, especially silkie lists, that have successfully treated their chickens with antibiotics when illness occurs. I have been lucky so far, and I don't know what I'd if in your shoes, but please know that there are options that go beyond culling your entire flock. In asserting as much, I don't mean to go against the powers that be on this list, but there isn't just one "right" or "proper" or "morally correct" way to deal with sick chickens. Enter the Chicken Doctor. I hope he can give you some good advice.

Best,
Laura