PLEASE HELP>>>My chickens have a cold!!!!!! What do I do?

[threehorses]

Quote:
Could you do us a favor? There are a few people who are trying to get testing and there seems to be some confusion as to how to do it.

Could you please tell us how you did it? Like, did you go through a chain of contacts til you found someone? etc? I know how to contact our state vets, and I have a couple of fabulous avian certified vets for myself. But I'd like to be able to better help others who are trying to figure out how to get their own help.

I think if you put it here, maybe others will find it when they're trying to get help for their birds.

I would be absolutely grateful if you could. Thank you!!

 

[Maryallison]

Yes threehorses you are so right. I am not as experienced as lots of the chicken owners here. To be honest I feel weird stolling up to some college campus with my dead chicken with me.

How does all this work?

 

[ivan3]

I have read your other two threads on this: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=213133
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=213158

It can be confusing to have more than one on the same issue. Don't have anything to add (members have already posted good advice) to info on acute treatment.

However:

Maryallison wrote: To be honest I feel weird stolling up to some college campus with my dead chicken with me

Feeling `weird' is not germane and, yes, this is exactly what you'll do (the vet lab will usually have a location far from any nosy humanities rubberneckers).

Call your local Dept. of Ag. extension agent or State Vet (in the phone book).

Florida info: http://www.vetmed.ufl.edu/extension/poultry/

Texas info: http://tvmdl.tamu.edu/ (for Threehorses)

Get the testing done (medicating without knowing what you are treating is a crapshoot at best).

Best of luck to you, hang in there!​

 

[threehorses]

Actually I know where to take my birds (but thanks for the info). Specifically, I have been looking for a place for someone in NM to take theirs. (A kid with a project). I can't seem to find any info on it, really.

 

[ivan3]

threehorses, try talking to these folks and drill on down:

New Mexico Livestock Board, 300 San Mateo, NE; Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108; Telephone (505) 841-6161 (tied in with the APHIS typhoid/pullorum testing)

Though I'd think the State Vet's office or Dept. of Ag. would be of some help.

Good luck!

 

[NotTheMomma]

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PS044
This link is helpful in eliminating what diseases your chicks don't have, and may lead to a possible conclusion of what they do have. Although without a necropsy, I truly don't think you'll have a definite diagnosis.

Without knowing what you are treating, it's just a blind shot in the dark. If there is no vet in your area that will treat chickens, then please call your state vet. If you cannot find the number for your state vet's office, call the local extension agency. If you have a farm bureau, you can call them for the state vet's info. With as many birds as you have, you can NOT afford to treat them yourself, and risk have a contagious disease that will prevent you from being able to sell any of your chicks, or chickens, any hatching eggs, and from bringing in any new chicks. There are respiratory diseases that leave your chickens carriers for life. You really need to find out if that's what you're dealing with.

 

[threehorses]

Quote:
Thanks, I'll try that. The poster is saying they can cull by 'guessing' that your bird might have a disease. And just for my own peace of mind, I'd like to find out whether or not that was a young person's misinterpretation of something, etc. I am not aware of any state where they can cull a bird based on visual symptoms... so I'd like to know for sure.

The info you've provided certainly should help! Thanks!!!

 

[Southernbelle]

Quote:
Could you do us a favor? There are a few people who are trying to get testing and there seems to be some confusion as to how to do it.

Could you please tell us how you did it? Like, did you go through a chain of contacts til you found someone? etc? I know how to contact our state vets, and I have a couple of fabulous avian certified vets for myself. But I'd like to be able to better help others who are trying to figure out how to get their own help.

I think if you put it here, maybe others will find it when they're trying to get help for their birds.

I would be absolutely grateful if you could. Thank you!!

The most straight-forward way is to google your states' department of agriculture. I just typed in "Virginia Department of Agriculture" and got their main page. (There's a phone number on that page that you could call.)

I clicked on "Consumer Services,"
then clicked on "Division of Animal and Food Industry Services"
That popped up a long menu of choices.
I looked under "Laboratories" and picked the one closest to me and called the number.

Our state vet comes out to test if you're having a problem - they HAVE to or risk an undetected case of Avian Flu (not likely, but they can't risk it.) They will also do free necropsies if you have a bird die.

I'm hoping for the best for you!

 

[threehorses]

Thank you!! I'm going to try again Monday when I can at least call people and see if I can get some straight answers.

The way it works here, I just went through a state vet and had pullorum testing and what not done when I needed that. For other illnesses, I use an avian vet. So it's pretty simple. But then again I'm not a kid, and I can spend money on chickens if I feel they need it - I don't have parental restraints on budget. (Though MAYbe I should! heheh)

Our Texas A&M has a clinic and will do all manner of treatment. And they do simple necropsies on patients that didn't die in their care for a charge. (Apparently those that do die in their care might be free.) They have the whole poultry science department, etc.

 

[purpletree23]

No Tetracycline......My Bad!!!!!