Mucus from nose and eyes

[swamp_stalker]

I bought some pullets that were in very rough shape, but are now probably 20-22 weeks old and have been nursed back to a healthy flock except for 1. One of the hens has always been the smallest of the bunch, and still is (same age though). She has also always had a little sneeze or cough ever since I got them, and to this day she always has a little bit of white/yellow discharge around her nostrils and sometimes a little around her eyes. If the others have it then it has never been enough for me to notice, and I never hear the others sneeze.

The chicken in question eats, ranges, and drinks fine. She is very active and shows no other signs of problems. She is actually usually at the front of the pack and the other chickens follow.

I started adding ACV to their water, but what else can I try with this chicken? I was thinking about removing her from the flock, but I want to try a few simple fixes before resorting to that.

Thanks!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Did they others initially have similar symptoms?

It would be hard to know the cause of her symptoms without testing. Respiratory illness is the first thing that comes to mind. Infectious Bronchitis and Mycoplasma are fairly common. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

You could try an antibiotic to see if there is improvement. You can find injectable Tylan50 at Tractor Supply. Give it orally for 5 days at a dosage rate of .20ml per pound of weight 3 times a day. If you can only manage 2 doses a day, then increase to .30ml per pound of weight.

Do what you can to keep the mucous cleared away and when she has a discharge from the eyes, rinse those with saline.

Whatever she has, the others have already been exposed. IF she has a respiratory illness, she and the others would be considered carriers, even when not symptomatic. Keeping a closed flock is a good idea unless you have testing to identify the problem.