New Birds from Breeder have Lice & Coryza

[chickened]

One of the things about coryza is many years ago commercial chicken owners would intentionally infect their flocks with a carrier, expose the flock and let them build an immunity to it. After doing so on occasion a few birds would relapse or show symptoms including the unmistakable smell which sour crop is NOT even close from time to time especially when the birds are stressed like from being moved to a new home for example. There is a local breeder here that I know of for a fact that has bought birds from the auction as breeders with coryza and sells the hatching's from them year round on CL to backyard poultry folks.

Me & Jack, nobody here is chanting kill, kill but only want you to do the right thing, there are all too many folks out there that will allow sick birds as carriers to potentially infect other peoples' birds knowingly and unknowingly especially ones that were expensive. I hope all it is is sour crop.

and I would tell any breeder knowingly spreading coryza that they need clean it up or I would post their name good guy or not it is that serious of a disease.

I am a firm believer in going above and beyond. The impression you want to leave on fellow chicken owners is what? 1. I may have a sick bird in my flock potentially infecting any other bird because I cannot stomach culling. (wild birds can and do get it) 2. I am not taking any chances I owe it to my birds and my fellow chicken owners to cull.
These are the options. I would not return the bird except as a condition of a refund either. If it is indeed coryza these guys need to be informed and put out of business if they are doing it knowingly. I am sorry if I seem harsh.

 

[Bigcreekpeafowl]

Sure glad to hear there is improvement.
The odor of coryza is much different from sour crop. But if you have no past experience with either one of them how would you initially know the difference in the odor? And I have seen nasal drainage after vomiting with sour crop.

The odor could have been stronger due the bird possibly having the sour crop discharge on him in the closed up box.
I know from past experience getting birds shipped to us. When you open the box the odor sometimes isn't likened to a rose garden. And the birds will reek of it for a few days.

 

[Me & Jack]

Vet was unable to diagnose definitively on examination alone. Took a crop swab and a nasal swab and is going to send them to the poultry sciences lab at our state college. Results may be one or more weeks from now. Here's what we do know: the chicken in question appeared "energetic and inquisitive" with no signs of thrush in the throat or other visual sign of yeast infection. There were no signs of sinus swelling, no rales or labored breathing, and he pooped on the table (he being my chicken, not the vet) a nice healthy firm lump with sufficient urates to further rule out dehydration. The crop did not feel impacted upon palpation, but apparently "sour crop" is not always a sign of impaction and can occur as a distinct ailment resulting from fungal infection or from the overuse of antibiotics. Vet thought the smell was unlike coryza but more like a combination of limburger cheese and stale wine. (Too many cocktail parties?) Anyhow, have nothing conclusive to share right now. Vet said to quarantine indoors and use bleach solution on shoes, wash hands thoroughly, and not come in contact with any other poultry until results are back. Vet did NOT recommend culling otherwise until a conclusive diagnosis is made.

Thanks to those who provided input and supportive words. Going to follow the vet's advice and keep the birds locked up in our shed until we find out what's going on. Will post then.

 

[key west chick]

Ive smelled coryza, it smells like death. If it smells like stinky cheese and wine, it may just be sour crop. I can see wine and cheese smelly yeasty.