New Flock Sneezing and Coughing ... HELP!

[CrazyFlockOChix]

Hi all,

First, I have to say that this site has been a WEALTH of information. I started reading and doing research about two months or so before we made our first purchases of chickens. You guys are all so awesome!

I'm going to try to give all of the pertinent information. I'm new at this, so bare with me...

Coop - We converted half of our shed into a coop that's about 7'x8'. We cut a window out that's about 2 1/2' x 3 1/2'. We have fencing up for them outside and a net as well. We are still debating on free ranging after they get use to their new home. We use pine shavings for bedding.

Food - We've been feeding them cracked corn and layer's mash with a little bit of oyster shells.

Flock - We have 2 Cochin, 2 Belgian Bearded d'Uccle, 5 New Hampshire (I think), and 4 Australorp (I think)

Weather - It has been steadily in the 70s here for the last 3 weeks or so. As of Sunday, we have been having nights down into the 20s and days with highs in the low to mid 40s.

We just brought home our birds on Saturday afternoon (4 days ago). At the time of purchasing them, they all appeared healthy and fine. As of yesterday, I noticed some coughing and sneezing between one of the Cochin and the Australorp. This morning, the Cochin was sneezing pretty consistently.

My question is could it be environmental? Or, is this something a little more serious? I ready a lot about using Apple Cider Vinegar and how that could possibly help. Would you recommend this for my situation as well? If so, do you use what you buy at the store or does it have to be something in particular?

Thanks in advance for all of your help!

 

[realsis]

this could be a sign of respiratory illness. my own birds had these same symptoms a month ago. I cured the symptoms with a antibiotic called tylosin. brand name Tylan50. small birds dose is 1/4 cc large birds 1/2 cc given once daily in the breast muscle. given for 5 days.Tylan50 is an excellent choice of antibiotic for respiratory illness. your birds should show significant improvements with in a couple days of treatment. you can purchase Tylan50 at the feed store along with the syringes
do NOT worry that the bottle says for cattle and swine. MANY poultry owners including myself successfully treat their birds with Tylan 50. it is geared for respiratory illness. when giving the injection I like to use alcohol swab in the area and it really helps part the feathers and expose the breast skin so you have a clear view of the injection site. I prefer injection over water soluble antibiotic because dose is much more controlled and not contingent on amount drank. also when ill they tend not to drink as much. dose with injection is stronger and gets into the blood stream much faster than water soluble. the Tylan 50 cured my birds symptoms quickly thank God! its a very good choice for respiratory illness. I would watch your birds for a day or so and if symptoms are still present I'd choose to treat them for there respiratory symptoms using Tylan50. that's what I did for my own birds displaying the exact same symptoms as your birds...Tylan50 is around 12 dollars at the feed lot. make sure your birds have proper ventilation in there house and no ammonia smell. I really hope this post is helpful and I wish you the very best. also I'd like to mention egg withdrawal period for this treatment is seven days after last dose. good luck!

 

[realsis]

as for the apple cider vinegar yes make sure to get the kind with the mother inside. I use Bragg's. its great for intestinal health and provides vitamins. but it will not treat a respiratory illness like a antibiotic. give the apple cider vinegar or acv for ONE week out of the month. because its very acidic and you don't want to use more than that. use only in a plastic waterer because it is corrosive to metal waterers. hope this also helps. best wishes

 

[CrazyFlockOChix]

Thank you or all of your help! It was recommended that we treat with Duramyacin to try to treat everyone. If that doesn't work, I have some other questions. It started out as just the sneezing and coughing. Now I noticed this morning that a hen has frothy eyes. Everything I've read indicates that this is likely MG, which is the same thing as CRD. The more reading I do the more confused I am. Pretty much everyhthjng I've read says that they will all be carriers now, but would only likely display acute symptoms during times of stress. So, other than those times is this something that will affect them otherwise?

Everything rose I read says that MG is pretty much everywhere. IF I culled my flock, what are the odds that I would end up with another that has it too? Even starting from chicks, I feel like there are so many environmental contributors to such problems. We`ve done our best to set up a system for biosecurity based on a few materials I have gathered in the web. So, do I continue on knowing my flock has this - or should I start over? We don't plan on breeding unless for our own use. We also are awaiting an order of chicks that should be here in the next 4 weeks.

HELP! :-/

 

[CrazyFlockOChix]

Can anyone help? I've read so much on this forum and other sites but I'm just in need of some direction. I have a call into my vet but haven't yet heard back.