Need help with apparently a respiratory disease

[Embuck]

Hello,
I have two birds now that are ailing. Here's the whole story. Yesterday late evening, I went into the house and Firecracker, one of the pullets, was wheezing when she breathed. They had in there all day, and the air was thick with dust. Assuming it was the dust, I let it air out, and left the chickens for the night, Firecracker still wheezing. This morning I let them out, and Firecracker and another pullet, Dynamite, were both wheezing. I think the slept next to each other last night. Firecracker would occasionally sneeze(or cough, I'm not sure what the difference is), and now Dynamite does it to. They both shake their heads. Looking closely at Dynamite, I observed a fluid, with a bit of foam, on her beak. I checked Firecracker, and she didn't have any fluid. I need help here, and I can't figure this out from our poultry books. In case it has any bearing, the weather here has been around freezing, rather wet at times, and very windy.

 

[Volcanic Egger]

I have a roo with the same issue. I'm anxious for help as well. Gave mine some Duramycin 10 Powder and it seems to helping a bit.

 

[Embuck]

What is Duramycin 10 Powder? It sounds like an antibiotic. Maybe some sort of penicillin?

 

[Volcanic Egger]

It's an antibiotic. Tetracycline Hydrochloride.
http://www.leesfeed.net/Durvet-Duramycin-10-detail.htm?productId=-431871&shopBy=-5341&catalogId=-925

 

[casportpony]

The antibiotic Baytril works very well on most bacterial respiratory infections that poultry get, but it is banned for use in poultry, so one should consider that before buying it.

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

This link has the dosing info for Duramycin 10, Oxytetracyline and many others:
http://www.durvet.com/dl/Durvet-Poultry-Brochure.pdf

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

Generic injectable Baytril - can be given orally:
http://www.mexi-cali.net/eng/index/item/24/29/enfloxil-25-ml-same-as-baytril

-Kathy

Edited to add: with Baytril you should treat just the sick birds and only if you are sure they have a respiratory infection.

 

[Volcanic Egger]

Thanks Kathy and others.

 

[Embuck]

So should I try the antibiotic? I think I have some Oxytetracycline. Should I isolate the birds, or do anything to the others? These two birds are currently in with 15 other birds, including a young chick and a laying pullet.

 

[casportpony]

I would put them in another pen and treat them, but only if it doesn't stress them out.

-Kathy