probable respiratory issue

[johnsteffes]

I have a 6 week old black australorp hen that came down with something this morning. She is moving very little, not eating or drinking and is wheezy when I move her. She is breathing rather heavily as well. I separated her from the other birds and have given her a water/apple cider vinegar solution by dropper. I have offered her yogurt mixed with her crumble (medicated) but she wont eat.

The other birds seem fine and are behaving and pooping the same as they were before. I have yet to see her poop since she has been separated so I don't know if she has diarrhea or not.

The chickens are in a coop outside that is protected but I left the their ventilation window open last night and it probably dropped to around 45. It may have been drafty but I leave a reflector light on for heat and they can get under it to stay warm. generally, they have showed no signs of getting cold.

I have sulmet but am reluctant to use it unless truly necessary...

Any suggestions?

 

[johnsteffes]

found her poop to be chalk white with clear runny liquid. She seems to be struggling quite a bit. should I give her sulmet or something else????

 

[Glenda L Heywood]

that can be done and this

it is a bit of info for respiratory infections of chickens
Using Vetrx for each bird infected

put vetrx on the head and under the wings
and 1/2 tsp down the throat a couple times a day for a week
2 tsp per gallon of water
for all of them as if it drank from the same watetrer then I would give it in the water for all of them


***to get the birds going I would do this

*** the wet mash probiotic this evening

wet mash probiotic
1 qt of dry crumbles
1-1/2 qts of milk any kind
1/4 cup of yoguart
mix good and feed 3 tbsp per chicken so that they eat it in 20-30 minutes

also in the water put 2 tbsp of ACV to a gallon of water
you can order it from smith poultry supply

Smith Poultry & Game Bird Supply

14000 W. 215th St., Bucyrus, KS 66013-9519

Ph. 913-879-2587 - 7:30 A. M. - 3 P. M CST Monday-Friday

24-hour Fax. 913-533-2497

you can email me PM for help
keep us posted to let us kno what happens on this

 

[NotTheMomma]

There's a disorder that the white chalky poop is a major symptom of. Right now I'm drawing a blank as to what it is, but I bet if you do a search on this site for that symptom, you'll find out what's going on. Otherwise, try googling it, and see what comes up.

I wish I could find the link that was posted here that showed various symtoms and what could be going on. I bet it's in the sticky on this forum!!!

 

[NotTheMomma]

http://www.birdcareco.com/USA/USAArticles_and_advice/USBreederArts/US_Chick_Problems/us_chick_problems.html

http://www.colchesterpoultryclub.com/health.htm

Try these two. It's not the one I was looking for, but it might help ya!!

GOod luck!

 

[sammi]

check the crop..if she hasn't eaten it should feel empty or flat.
feel for lumps or grainy feeling.
describe how it feels..hard. lumpy, like a water balloon, soft and squishy..etc..
post back with what you find.

if no crop problem..
check the vent for any drainage.
when did she last lay an egg?
feel the belly/vent area for hardness, heat or swelling.
has she ever laid a soft shelled egg?

if none of these..it's respiratory and/or bacteria..
I'd get some erythromycin (gallimycin) or Tylan injectable..

or...take a fecal sample to vet for testing.

here is a link to antibiotics that have what they are used for:

http://www.firststatevetsupply.com/store/index.php?cPath=21_29

 

[johnsteffes]

she is up and eating today! I made sure that she drank water yesterday and last night... used ACV. kept her warm. she has improved vastly. Should I still treat her or should I just let her recuperate for a few days. I'm reluctant to use antibiotics unless absolutely necessary so I'm inclined to give her the probiotic mash and ACV, let her rest and keep an eye on her droppings. Any problems with that?

She is not laying yet. too young. Also, I can't find any literature on how to check a crop... any links?