My chicken has a runny nose, sneeze and gravely breathing, what do I do?

[ShaunRK]

I am a brand new chicken owner, I have had chickens for 8 days. I git 4 last Wednesday and three more last Sunday. One of the three from Sunday started sneezing and had a clear fluid coming from her nose Wednesday when I let them out to roam. The person I got her from said she had just gotten her from a breeder along with many other birds and they were all fine. My others seem fine as well.
I have quarantined her but she is hardly eating and not pooping. I don't know if it is because she is separated and caged or if it is part of the illness. I was told there are antibiotics I can give her from out local tractor supply but I an unsure of this.
She seems to have energy unless she is with the other chickens then she stays hidden and pretty quiet, I just don't know if it is because she is sick or if it is because they pick on her. She is one of the smaller birds and the big ones peck her often. She is a pulled and not laying yet. I don't know her exact age.
Will she get better or will I have to cull her?
And if we do have to cull her because she is ill, can wet butcher and eat her or do wet destroy it because of the illness? There is so much I don't know yet. Thank you for your time.

 

[chickens really]

Respiratory illness spreads...So even though you separated the sick Bird, it's already spread...You can try antibiotics...Most respiratory issues will make them carriers for life..

 

[ShaunRK]

Respiratory illness spreads...So even though you separated the sick Bird, it's already spread...You can try antibiotics...Most respiratory issues will make them carriers for life..

So, does this mean I have to kill my whole flock and start over?

 

[chickens really]

No, first try antibiotics....Dont add anymore Birds....

 

[Wyorp Rock]

sneezing and had a clear fluid coming from her nose...hardly eating and not pooping...She seems to have energy unless she is with the other chickens then she stays hidden and pretty quiet...I just don't know if it is because she is sick or if it is because they pick on her. She is one of the smaller birds and the big ones peck her often

It sounds like she is being picked on. Keep her separated/kenneled near the others so they can see her but don't bully her. She may have a respiratory illness, it's hard to know. The not eating and not pooping are the most concerning - how does her crop feel? Is it emptying properly? Does she have a source of grit to process her food? Get her drinking well, once she is hydrated then offer food - you can give her wet chick starter to begin with to see how it goes. You can also put some poultry vitamins in her water for a few days to give her a boost.

Respiratory illness symptoms include coughing, sneezing, runny nose/mucous, facial swelling, watery/foamy eyes, etc. There are several illnesses that have very similar symptoms, so if you can have some testing done that would be best. Antibiotics can help with secondary infections, but won't cure any of the illnesses - if her respiratory symptoms worsen - then you can try treating with Tylan50 which can be found at TSC. Most respiratory illnesses make birds and those exposed carriers for life. Your chicken keeping goals and the illness you are dealing with will determine whether culling and starting over is the best option for you. A lot people have respiratory illness in their flock - they manage the symptoms as they arise or cull sick birds and keep a closed flock.

Keep us posted.
Common Poultry Diseases: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

 

[ShaunRK]

Well, Bella died today. Now I have two more sick chickens. Bertha is the worst off. Very gravely breathing, sneezing and lethargic. I have quarantined her and added electrolytes and probiotics to her water on the encouragement of a neighbor who also raises chickens. Bertha is a little different than Bella in that Bertha has diarrhea and Bella was not pooping at all.
I'm not sure what to do at this point. I guess just wait and see. I a treating the entire flock just in case. I separated Bertha so she could rest and not fight for food and water. I hope she starts to feel better and the other birds don't get worse.
On the plus side, I met some really awesome and helpful chicken loving neighbors, who were very helpful today.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry for your loss.

Having some fecal samples tested by your vet would be a good idea to make sure they don't have something like a worm or coccidiosis complicating matters.

If Bertha is having trouble breathing - you may want to try the Tylan50 to see if that gives her any relief.
I'm glad you found support and help with your neighbors. Keep us posted.

 

[chickens really]

ILT...?......Possibly......