My chicken have Bronchitis?

[mommycakes83]

Ok. Got tetracycline in the water! I'm going to wait 24 hours before cleaning the coop to be sure they are germ free? Is that right?

 

[cafarmgirl]

Well they and the coop are not going to be germ free no matter what you do. How old are these birds? If they are sneezing and coughing they have most likely picked up some poultry respiratory disease. Antibiotic's are a good idea in order to prevent secondary pneumonia and bacterial infections. The disease itself, any one of many, is viral and has to run it's course. It's very difficult to determine exactly what they have without having testing done.

As far as antibiotic's, for respiratory diseases I prefer Tylan 50, given orally or injected. That way you know each bird got the exact dose it needs every day. Meds in the water are less reliable but if a person has many birds sometimes that's the only way to treat the whole flock.

 

[mommycakes83]

I have 6 birds ranging 6months-1year only 3 are sneezy. I'm keeping confined for 7 days so they get enough water from that one source. It was all they had at atwoods, but I will order something online if I need to..

 

[mommycakes83]

put my gals on chick starter again during the antibiotic schedule.. Poor girls. I feel responsible in some way..

 

[cafarmgirl]

Well if they truly have come down with some kind of respiratory disease it's definitely not your fault! These diseases are many and very, very common. Many, many of us on this forum have had an outbreak of one or another respiratory bug in our flocks. They spread so easily and by various vectors that there's just no way for the backyard chicken keeper to prevent all of it. Vaccinating chicks certainly helps but there are many things one could vaccinate for and it would help to know what's prevalent in your area when choosing. At this time I am only vaccinating for Marek's.

 

[mommycakes83]

Well if they truly have come down with some kind of respiratory disease it's definitely not your fault!  These diseases are many and very, very common.  Many, many of us on this forum have had an outbreak of one or another respiratory bug in our flocks.  They spread so easily and by various vectors that there's just no way for the backyard chicken keeper to prevent all of it.  Vaccinating chicks certainly helps but there are many things one could vaccinate for and it would help to know what's prevalent in your area when choosing.  At this time I am only vaccinating for Marek's. 

That truly helps my conscience. Thank you ! I'm going to weather proof and clean everything out next week.