Please help! I think my flock is experiencing a respiratory infection

[Faithjo]

You can possibly find a few different medications for pigeons that you can use for chickens. My chickens had some sort of respiratory infection and I got some advice to use pigeon medicine. This is the one I got and it worked well.
https://jedds.com/products/doxy-tyl

Is this good for laying hens? Is there an egg withdrawal period? I know that the website mentions not using it for livestock that will be consumed but I didn’t know if it translates into eating the eggs as well. Thanks!!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Is this good for laying hens? Is there an egg withdrawal period? I know that the website mentions not using it for livestock that will be consumed but I didn’t know if it translates into eating the eggs as well. Thanks!!

What are you trying to treat?
Doxy-Tyl is normally used to treat symptoms of respiratory illness like Mycoplasma.

Rule of thumb would be to throw away eggs for at least 14days after the last dose if administering Doxycycline, but it's always a good idea to research withdrawal periods on your own to double check.

 

[Faithjo]

What are you trying to treat?
Doxy-Tyl is normally used to treat symptoms of respiratory illness like Mycoplasma.

Rule of thumb would be to throw away eggs for at least 14days after the last dose if administering Doxycycline, but it's always a good idea to research withdrawal periods on your own to double check.

I noticed one of the hens has bubbles in her eye and she just looked kinda sick and puffy in her eyes, then a lot of my chickens started sneezing. Today, a week since the first hen was exposed to all of them one of my hens had her eye swollen shut and kind of infected looking under it. Shes not acting like her usual self and was just wanting to sit in the coop. She and the first sick hen are now in a cage separate from the others. I’m not sure what it is but I’m afraid it respiratory and just wanted to be prepared and to treat the new sick hen. The first one is doing much better now and is eating great, I still have her separate from the others that aren’t so sick though. I haven’t had chickens all that long so I’m still figuring things out. Thanks!! I had tried to find some things but so far I’ve struggled to find with is actually safe. I thought I would ask people who have used it on their laying hens to get their opinion

 

[Faithjo]

What are you trying to treat?
Doxy-Tyl is normally used to treat symptoms of respiratory illness like Mycoplasma.

Rule of thumb would be to throw away eggs for at least 14days after the last dose if administering Doxycycline, but it's always a good idea to research withdrawal periods on your own to double check.

https://jedds.com/products/tylosin-powder
Would this be a better option? I’m honestly struggling and thought about just taking a visit to the vet. I don’t know that they will even see a chicken though, i definitely don’t want them all getting sick though. I have Vetrx but I know that will not treat an infection if that is the problem

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I noticed one of the hens has bubbles in her eye and she just looked kinda sick and puffy in her eyes, then a lot of my chickens started sneezing. Today, a week since the first hen was exposed to all of them one of my hens had her eye swollen shut and kind of infected looking under it. Shes not acting like her usual self and was just wanting to sit in the coop. She and the first sick hen are now in a cage separate from the others. I’m not sure what it is but I’m afraid it respiratory and just wanted to be prepared and to treat the new sick hen. The first one is doing much better now and is eating great, I still have her separate from the others that aren’t so sick though. I haven’t had chickens all that long so I’m still figuring things out. Thanks!! I had tried to find some things but so far I’ve struggled to find with is actually safe. I thought I would ask people who have used it on their laying hens to get their opinion

Have you brought in new birds recently?

Photos of the hens/eyes?

Bubbles in the eyes accompanied by other respiratory symptoms can often indicate Mycoplasma. Tylosin or the Doxy-Tyl can both be used to treat symptoms. Tylosin has a 1 day withdrawal period, but a comb with Doxy you would want to observe the longer 2 week period.

For eyes, it's best to flush with saline, push out any pus that may be causing swelling, then put an ointment in the eye like Terramycin. This would be in addition to any oral medications that you may administer.

 

[Faithjo]

Have you brought in new birds recently?

Photos of the hens/eyes?

Bubbles in the eyes accompanied by other respiratory symptoms can often indicate Mycoplasma. Tylosin or the Doxy-Tyl can both be used to treat symptoms. Tylosin has a 1 day withdrawal period, but a comb with Doxy you would want to observe the longer 2 week period.

For eyes, it's best to flush with saline, push out any pus that may be causing swelling, then put an ointment in the eye like Terramycin. This would be in addition to any oral medications that you may administer.

I did, one of the new ones was actually the first sick one. I ordered some Tylosin that I saw recommend on another thread. I don’t have any photos of the sick ones right now but I will try and get those tomorrow being the Lords will. I am really hoping that this second one just has an eye infection or something non contagious but I know it doesn’t sound too good right now. Only one of her eyes is affected where the other hen has both eyes looking funny. Her eyes were never matted shut like the second hens is though. Would a respiratory illness only affect one eye? Her other one looks great. None of them are wheezing in the flock that I’ve noticed either

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I did, one of the new ones was actually the first sick one. I ordered some Tylosin that I saw recommend on another thread. I don’t have any photos of the sick ones right now but I will try and get those tomorrow being the Lords will. I am really hoping that this second one just has an eye infection or something non contagious but I know it doesn’t sound too good right now. Only one of her eyes is affected where the other hen has both eyes looking funny. Her eyes were never matted shut like the second hens is though. Would a respiratory illness only affect one eye? Her other one looks great. None of them are wheezing in the flock that I’ve noticed either

Yes, sometimes only one eye can be affected.
It does sound like you are dealing with respiratory illness. Hopefully the Tylosin will come fairly quickly, you never know with Christmas next week.

Any that are showing symptoms around the eyes, I'd clean eyes (saline) and put ointment in the eyes to help with infection.

 

[Faithjo]

Yes, sometimes only one eye can be affected.
It does sound like you are dealing with respiratory illness. Hopefully the Tylosin will come fairly quickly, you never know with Christmas next week.

Any that are showing symptoms around the eyes, I'd clean eyes (saline) and put ointment in the eyes to help with infection.

Thank you so much for the help!! I paid for ups 3 day shipping so I hope that helps, I know it doesn’t guarantee 3 day delivery. I plan to use Vetrx until it get here and maybe give them electrolytes and vinegar

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you so much for the help!! I paid for ups 3 day shipping so I hope that helps, I know it doesn’t guarantee 3 day delivery. I plan to use Vetrx until it get here and maybe give them electrolytes and vinegar

Sounds good, hopefully you'll get the meds soon.
Encourage them to drink the medicated water, if they are not drinking well, syringe the mixed water into the several times a day, if possible, so they are at least getting some of the medicated water.

 

[Faithjo]

Sounds good, hopefully you'll get the meds soon.
Encourage them to drink the medicated water, if they are not drinking well, syringe the mixed water into the several times a day, if possible, so they are at least getting some of the medicated water.

Here are some photos, I know they aren’t great but I had another hen with some bubbling in her eye so I got her in with the others. He breathing sounds a little funny as well