Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[bigmrg74]

Did you check for lice? Thats how some of mine were acting.

I haven't really noticed any of them lately, but I will do a check of them tomorrow for that. So far she seems to have perked up a bit lately. Sometimes just you thinking about it is all the motivation that they need to start feeling better.

 

[aart]

Got peeping happening under the broody out there!!

 

[Folly's place]

Mary

 

[Yochickiemomma2]

Could use a little advise if anyone has some to share I'd appreciate it.
Issue: about half of my flock of big hens are wheezing, rattling, and maybe sneezing. NO runny nose or flemmy discharge. I have one that's been that way for years on and off with no sign of being contagious (thought she had a lung issue. she is in the worst shape of them all right now). They are all roughly 5 years old. Please keep in mind it has been wet and humid and rainy up here on and off for days. They have also been free ranging where wild birds frequent. Do I run them through the gammet starting with worming? I've read gap worm can cause this issue. If so what does anyone recommend? Am I wasting my time? They don't lay much anymore since they're so old.

 

[aart]

I have one that's been that way for years on and off with no sign of being contagious

Just because they don't have symptoms doesn't necessarily mean they are not 'contagious'....or that they all are not carrying the disease anyway. Symptoms show when bird(s) immune system is weakened for any number of reasons.
Respiratory issues are tough, hard to treat without a cultured swab to know what organism is at play and thus what med to use. Not sure even meds work on anything but symptoms, and bird(s) can be a lifelong carrier. That is why I wouldn't bother treating, but I don't treat for anything other than dehydration and bugs when I see them. JMHO.


Pulled 6 empty shells out of the broody nest.
Saw too many headspots(males ), one female for sure.
Hoping hard the other 2 eggs hatch....and are females.

 

[Yochickiemomma2]

Just because they don't have symptoms doesn't necessarily mean they are not 'contagious'....or that they all are not carrying the disease anyway. Symptoms show when bird(s) immune system is weakened for any number of reasons.
Respiratory issues are tough, hard to treat without a cultured swab to know what organism is at play and thus what med to use. Not sure even meds work on anything but symptoms, and bird(s) can be a lifelong carrier. That is why I wouldn't bother treating, but I don't treat for anything other than dehydration and bugs .

Aart would you euthanize the flock if they were yours and start over? Clean and sanitize coop and run. Like I said they're old. I was already considering this before this issue creeped up.

 

[aart]

Aart would you euthanize the flock if they were yours and start over? Clean and sanitize coop and run. Like I said they're old. I was already considering this before this issue creeped up.

It's an option....and if you were already considering it, then you kind of answered your own question.

I hatch replacement layers every year and slaughter for meat the older(2-3yo) layers, and those pesky cockerels, due to space constraints.

 

[RaZ]

It's an option....and if you were already considering it, then you kind of answered your own question.

That's a good answer. If you were already considering a cull then go ahead with it. No sense in letting the birds continue in poor health. I wouldn't use them for meat though.

 

[RaZ]

Just a couple of weeks until CS19. I'm so far behind in chores and projects. I'm robbing Peter to pay Paul and getting further in the hole. I think payday is the week of CS, so I should have gas money to get there.

 

[Yochickiemomma2]

That's a good answer. If you were already considering a cull then go ahead with it. No sense in letting the birds continue in poor health. I wouldn't use them for meat though.

Thanks RaZ. Wasn't planning on eating them anyway too tough. Thank you both for reaffirming what I was thinking. I just hate to make rash decisions. Especially when I know people who can share sound advise with me.