possible owner induced respiratory infection in hen

[abooot99]

1) What type of bird , age and weight.- Margie is a salmon favorolles hen approx. 10 months old and about 5 #
2) What is the behavior, exactly.- sneezing, wheezing, gurgling, worse at night on roost. No obvious nasal discharge or bubbly eyes that I observe (I am really a brand new chicken keeper though)

3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms? About 1 week
4) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma. No

5) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.- stupid me wanted to be a good chicken owner so I bought a radiant heater and installed it in their coop. It gets too warm in there at night (like 40’s) when the outside is 20’s. Its on a thermo cube. One night, the extension cord got unplugged and it was 19 in the coop for one night. I know, I am stupid trying to give them heat and make them cozy…ooopppps!

6) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.- she has been eating layer pellets with the other birds and they are provided fresh water, ice free from their heated dog bowl.
7) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.- normal
8) What has been the treatment you have administered so far? Mixed 2 teaspoons of tetracycline in 1 gallon of water and gave her and the rest of the flock this treatment today. polyvisol drops 3-4
9 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet? I’d like to self treat if at all possible.
10) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.- no picture
11) Describe the housing/bedding in use- 8x4 coop with 6-7’ high roof, ventilation up high, pine shavings…

I brought my hen inside as she was the worst of the bunch. I’ve heard minor sneezing from some of the others (7 others) but couldn’t pinpoint who it was. So brought her in, gave her a few drops of polyvisol and am keeping her warm. I feel like this was an infection? Brought on by myself being an idiot and new to chickens---trying to much.

Please let me know if there is any other treatment that would be more appropriate. I’d rather not have to do injections. I have spent tons on my chickens in the last two months and am really feeling it now.
Thanks,
Amanda
Remember that we are not veterinarians. We help based on our own research and experiences. We cannot monitor the board 24/7, and therefore do not guarantee we can always help, much as we would wish to. We should never be a replacement if real medical attention is required. If your situation seems to require a trip to the vet, please do so. It is always a good idea to know of an avian vet in your area in case your situation is

 

[speckledhen]

I don't know if they caught something or just are suffering from "Heated Coop Syndrome", meaning they were used to warmth and were plunged into extreme cold. Is your coop ventilated properly? If not, warm heat plus moisture from poop and respiration and no way for enough moist air to escape can lead to sneezing and gurgly birds from ammonia buildup. Get down at their level, stir up the shavings and take a big whiff. You may be surprised how bad it is down there. This is why it's a bad idea to heat a coop, usually.

I wouldn't use antibiotics at all. Tetracycline is too weak to be of any use and if they had a virus, you know antibiotics won't do a thing for that. Give them water in a non-metal waterer with organic, unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar in it (the type with sediment you shake up in the bottle), a tablespoon or two to a gallon. Do that for three days or so, after any ammonia issues are cleared and see if they're better.

 

[abooot99]

Quote:
Would one cold night cause these symptoms? I recently cleaned out the coop with all the shavings and things and sprayed poulty protector. I did use a good amount of red barn diatomacious earth. This was probably 3 weeks ago or so. My coop has soffit venting on one side about 3 feet long by 4 inches along the roof line.
I guess the heated coop damage has been done. I will continue to heat it until the nicer weather as I don't want to create more of an issue.

I gave them the tetracycline in the water today. So you think I should stop?

I will go get some ACV (organic with mother?) tomorrow in my travels. Already brought the hen in the house...I feeling really foolish right about now.

Next year, I won't bother with the heater. I was so worried about the roosters mild frostbite that I jumped the gun and got the heater.

Any other advice?? Stop the antibiotic? Should I get vet rx or something. She seems to really have auditory breath sounds.

Thanks
Amanda

 

[abooot99]

boy is it hard to get complete answers here. I will get one response and still have questions that remain unanswered.

Sorry but this happens to me alot when I post something. One response maybe and then it gets pushed down and never talked about again.

NO one's fault, Im just venting...

 

[speckledhen]

The reason sometimes you don't get an answer is that it's almost impossible to diagnose illness over the internet and if folks don't know, they usually don't post. It could be illness, one of many that produce the same symptoms, or ammonia buildup.

Vet Rx is not an antibiotic, it's Vicks Vaporub for chickens, so has limited use in your situation. Won't hurt them unless you overdo it. I have a policy not to ever treat respiratory illness in chickens and many folks do as well. The reason is that they do not get colds, they get carrier type diseases, meaning that even if they seem to recover, they can infect other chickens especially when under stress. If you start using antibiotics for every sneeze, you'll have to keep on doing that. I think if all the conditions in their coop are fine and there is no ammonia build up, then their immune systems should be strong enough to combat whatever is wrong.

I don't know if your ventilation is adequate. How many birds in how many square feet? That makes a huge difference.

 

[CoopCrazy]

One night could have done this yes... I dont reccomend heating a coop at all.. I would not do the antibiotics if it was me but I dont like antis at all. Keep up with the ACV and watch for improvements in the next few days.. Also dont eat any eggs from the hen you gave the antibiotics to for 30 days..

PS Yes it can be hard to get answers on here.,. I have found that if you break down your large post into a few simple smaller posts youget better success.. I think alot of folks dont know all the answers so will not comment, smaller questions get answered quicker..