Multiple hens breathing problem. Please help

[20andy19]

Hi, i have around 6 of my hens which have started to make a crackling sound when breathing. Non of the vets treat poultry and a friend has suggested diluting TCP in their water and it will 'fix'the problem.
I am reluctant to do that as i think it may be bad for the hens? Has anyone got any info on that please.

He also mentioned diluted bleach or Milton in the water but again, i am unsure of this as i cant seem to find anything on the internet regardimg TCP or Blesch in the water.

Also, im from north east UK, does anyone know of any websites i could order some medication off and could you advise me of what to use.

I do put ACV and garlic in the hens water and feed them a quality mixed feed along with fruit and veg.

Any help is appreciated

Thanks,
Andy.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

What is TCP?
I certainly wouldn't use bleach. I can't understand how ingesting bleach would cure a respiratory issue. That sounds like a Trumpish prescription.
Birds can always be infected by a pathogen coming in from the environment but IMHO, big ventilation is the best way to ward off respiratory issues.

Should you lose a hen, be prepared to send the carcass to a poultry diagnostic lab for necropsy and lab work. I don't recommend medicating for an unknown illness. If any get really bad, you could send it to the lab for humane necropsy so you will then know how to proceed with your other birds.
Try calling this place to see if they can suggest a lab close to you.
https://www.nwlabs.co.uk/

 

[20andy19]

What is TCP?
I certainly wouldn't use bleach. I can't understand how ingesting bleach would cure a respiratory issue. That sounds like a Trumpish prescription.
Birds can always be infected by a pathogen coming in from the environment but IMHO, big ventilation is the best way to ward off respiratory issues.

TCP is a antiseptic ill attach a photo of a TCP bottle.

I thought the same with using bleach or milton, hes a old man who has had chickens for 40 years and he swears by it BUT i still have my doubts.

The coop is around 20 foot long by 15foot wide and they are free ranged on a large allotment but are locked away late at night then let out around 8am on the morning. The coop has lots (around 20) of ventilation holes and 2 medium size window which is kept open around 2 inches.

Are their any medications you could advise which can be purchased online. I appreciate any help and advice.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I can't in good conscience recommend a medication without knowing if the malady is bacterial, viral, fungal, protozoal, environmental or even nutritional.

 

[20andy19]

I can't in good conscience recommend a medication without knowing if the malady is bacterial, viral, fungal, protozoal, environmental or even nutritional.

I think it may be viral, i bought 5 ex battery hens and added then to my flock and the next day i noticed 1 with this problem. Then 1 week later 4 more which 2 of them are my brahmas and not the ex bat hens.

Coop is cleaned monthly and never gets smelly, they are fed fresh Premium Layers Pellets, Wheat and Corn daily mixed together along with a large feeder full of Grit they have access to 24/7. They also forage off the ground while free ranging, i dont think its nutritional because my hens have been on the same mixed diet for around 3 years and only developed this problem since i added the ex bat hens.

How would i know wether it is bacterial, viral, fungal, protozoal etc

Thanks again.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

With a necropsy.
Viral is a good guess and no meds can cure a virus.
There is no need to mix corn and wheat with the layer pellets because the main ingredient in the feed is already grain. In mixing, you are diluting the protein, vitamins and minerals in the balanced feed that should make up the entirety of their intake.
I bet if you read the feeding instructions on the bag it will have a statement to the effect, "this is a complete feed and should be the sole intake, no other supplements are needed."

 

[20andy19]

With a necropsy.
Viral is a good guess and no meds can cure a virus.
There is no need to mix corn and wheat with the layer pellets because the main ingredient in the feed is already grain. In mixing, you are diluting the protein, vitamins and minerals in the balanced feed that should make up the entirety of their intake.
I bet if you read the feeding instructions on the bag it will have a statement to the effect, "this is a complete feed and should be the sole intake, no other supplements are needed."

With a necropsy.
Viral is a good guess and no meds can cure a virus.
There is no need to mix corn and wheat with the layer pellets because the main ingredient in the feed is already grain. In mixing, you are diluting the protein, vitamins and minerals in the balanced feed that should make up the entirety of their intake.
I bet if you read the feeding instructions on the bag it will have a statement to the effect, "this is a complete feed and should be the sole intake, no other supplements are needed."

Not sure if i am right or wrong, but isnt a necropsy carried out on a dead chicken? If so im hoping to have no fatalities. Is their no other way to know what meds i can use.

I believe the pellets are a complete feed but i like to give my hens a variety (50% layers pellets, 25% wheat and 25% mixed corn). Plus they forage when free ranging and they get fruit and veg quite alot along with live Mealworms weekly (i breed them for Albert my bearded dragon and for the hens). They give me thick egg shelled eggs daily.

 

[Jenjens]

I had this really Long post about this product being illegal in the US and found out you are in the UK where I ordered this from! Don't worry....this is an all natural product!

It's called agrivite respite. People SWEAR by this stuff. and it supposedly works fast.

I ordered it from.great Britain from Amazon and it actually got stuck in customs because they said it was illegal in the US.....I explained it was an all natural product and they did release it. I never needed it but it stinks like garlic.

if you don't order it, I believe it is made with garlic ( a lot of it) and oregano I believe. You can always make a condition with garlic, oregano, basil, Apple cider vinegar and mix it in their water, but read the Amazon reviews.

 

[20andy19]

I had this really Long post about this product being illegal in the US and found out you are in the UK where I ordered this from! Don't worry....this is an all natural product!

It's called agrivite respite. People SWEAR by this stuff. and it supposedly works fast.

I ordered it from.great Britain from Amazon and it actually got stuck in customs because they said it was illegal in the US.....I explained it was an all natural product and they did release it. I never needed it but it stinks like garlic.

if you don't order it, I believe it is made with garlic ( a lot of it) and oregano I believe. You can always make a condition with garlic, oregano, basil, Apple cider vinegar and mix it in their water, but read the Amazon reviews.

Hi, thanks for the advice. I will take a look now. I already add garlic and apple cidwr vinegar in their water, hopefully i can oder some Agrivite asap.

Thank you so much!

 

[LaFleche]

"Harmful effects
Published advice states that TCP should not be swallowed, and recommends drinking plenty of water if 30ml or more of TCP is swallowed, and seeking medical advice if discomfort persists.[7] Phenolic compounds such as those in TCP are harmful to cats.[8]"


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TCP_(antiseptic)#Harmful_effects

I am reluctant to do that as i think it may be bad for the hens?

And you are right.