Old hen breathing problems

[Suzierd]

Well Dawg the old hen is showing improvement with breathing still sneezing like crazy. No mucus or runny nose. But this morning I thought I heard someone else sneezing, I am so worried. Is there a vaccine I can give them that will protect them from getting respiratory infections? Should I get the Tylan I can put in the water and treat them all? I don't mind spending the fifty bucks to save them. I don't have the confidence in my self to force it down their throats. I love my chickens I am so upset. Thanks for your help.

 

[dawg53]

Well Dawg the old hen is showing improvement with breathing still sneezing like crazy. No mucus or runny nose. But this morning I thought I heard someone else sneezing, I am so worried. Is there a vaccine I can give them that will protect them from getting respiratory infections? Should I get the Tylan I can put in the water and treat them all? I don't mind spending the fifty bucks to save them. I don't have the confidence in my self to force it down their throats. I love my chickens I am so upset. Thanks for your help.

You cant give them a vaccine unless you know what disease it is. A blood sample or necropsy would have to be done and/or sent off for analysis to determine what specific disease you're dealing with, there are many types of respiratory diseases. Respiratory diseases are contageous as you're finding out. Tylan is not meant to be mixed in water and could cause it to become ineffective.
Your other option is to inject it.
Dosage for adult size birds is 1/2 injected into the breast muscle, 1/4cc for smaller birds for 3 consecutive days.
You'll need to use a large needle on your syringe due to the solution thickness of tylan (20-22 gauge needle works best.)
Make sure you angle the needle so you inject just under the skin, and not deep in the muscle tissue.
Make sure you inject in a different spot each day, alternate to each side of the breast...left, right, left.

 

[Suzierd]

What do you tink about this Tylan.
http://www.jefferslivestock.com/tylan-soluble-powder/camid/LIV/cp/E1-T9/cn/3502/

 

[Suzierd]

They are eating and drinking great.

 

[dawg53]

Tylan soluable powder will work. Dosage is 1 teaspoon per gallon of water. Make a fresh solution daily and it has to be their sole source of water to drink for 7 days. There is a 1 day withdrawal period after last use. Keep in mind that a sick bird will unlikely drink and even if it does, it's usually not enough to be effective. Since yours are drinking, it shouldnt be a problem.

 

[Suzierd]

Very happy to hear you say that. I have it ordered but not sure anyone else is sick. I haven't heard him sneeze again since this morning. But it will be good to have it here incase. Maybe I should give it to them regardless. I think I'll get some Oxine too sounds like good stuff.
Thanks

 

[dawg53]

Dosage for the oxine is 1/8 teaspoon per gallon of water. Put the mixture in a spray bottle and with a very fine mist, spray it over the tops of their heads. Do this 3 times a day for 10 days straight. You can also use it to disinfect their waterers. Do NOT use the activator, not needed.

 

[Suzierd]

Thanks for help with the dosage. Where do I buy Oxine a farm and garden store or Lowes?

 

[dawg53]

I've had to order mine by phone in this link:
http://pet-healthcare.revivalanimal.com/search?w=oxine&asug=

 

[Suzierd]

Well today is day 6 on Duramycin-10 she still sounds crackly and sneezes. Still eats and drinks good. I watched her take six big gulps in a row yesterday.
Will it hurt to continue to give her another antibiotic when the Tylan gets here? I think I'm going to try to swab her and send it to OSU to see what I'm dealing with. Is there a chance I'm dealing with something not contagious? I have never had a sick chicken before I got the silkies that I could tell. I have a bad feeling they brought something in. I'm really hoping that's not the case, none of them are sick yet. I don't see how they all weren't exposed if it is contagious. The college charges 32.50 for the first two birds and 22.50 each bird after that. So I think I'll just get the sick hen tested. Were do you get the swabs and tubes?