Pneumonia?

[BurtonsBirds]

About 2 months ago, I lost a hen to what I thought was pneumonia. She sounded "wet", full of mucous, her eyes eventually started putting out fluid, she would turn purple and "gasp" for air, and she passed in about 4 days after I separated her from flock. My rooster is now doing the same thing. Does anyone have insight into this problem. Is it pneumonia? Can I prevent? Treat? I have electrolytes in their water. I noticed the symptoms starting 2 days ago, noticed his crown turning purple yesterday. Calling the vet today, but wanted the group's feedback.

 

[Eggcessive]

You may have a respiratory disease in your flock. You could have a silent carrier that may have had such a light infection passed on by the chicken that died, that it was passed to the rooster. Even the rooster could have had it, and now has a full blown case. Maybe there is some piece of equipment that was infected. I would get either some Tylan or Duramycin 10 to treat the sick bird, who should be isolated from the others. Here is some info on the different diseases: http://www.localharvest.org/blog/26992/entry/respiratory_disease_in_chickens

 

[cafarmgirl]

X 2. They absolutely need antibiotic's. You've got some kind of respiratory disease going on and pneumonia and secondary bacterial infections are almost a guarantee. That is what usually kills the bird rather then the disease itself. They will likely all come down with it in turn, whatever it is. I'd get some Tylan 50, treat the ones who are symptomatic now and just keep treating any new ones who show symptoms.

 

[realsis]

X3 on the tylan50! Dose for small birds is 1/4 cc large birds 1/2 cc given once daily in the breast muscle for 5 days straight. Hope this helps.I'd treat as soon as possible. Best wishes

 

[BurtonsBirds]

Thank you for the link and the info. I got home late yesterday and started Tylan soluble in the water of the rooster and one other hen that was just not quite right and seemed to be breathing heavily. I separated them and hand watered them last night and this morning. This morning the rhode island red hen appeared the same, and the silver laced wyanndotte roo appeared a bit better. Got home this afternoon, went to hand water feed some more, and the red was dead. The rooster looks better as far as his crown goes. He seems to be a bit stronger. I have added the Tylan to the water source for the rest of my flock for one dose. Hopefully this will knock out any "carriers". I will continue to treat the roo till he dies, or 5 days, the Tylan's max treatment for severe infection. I feel that our pens are pretty clean, but we have battled a snake lately adn stress in the pen regarding that. Does anyone have insight on how to prevent these respiratory problems. I don't want to immunize or regularly antibiotic dose my flock.