pullet seems to be sneezing

[nannie]

im new to chickens.my 1 year old leghorn is acting strange this am.she seems to be sneezing.im concerned about it being some sort of respitory thing going on.also she didn't lay an egg yesterday.i don't know what to do or what to look for.am asking for advice and assistance.her name is Sophia.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sneezing can be a symptom of dust from dusty feed or the environment, or from mold. If it happens often, accompanied by nasal drainage, watery or foamy eyes, it can be a respiratory disease, such as MG, infectious bronchitis (IB,) coryza, or ILT. IB can affect egg laying (the others may also) and IB as well as ILT are viruses. Coryza is bacterial, MG is a mycoplasma similar to bacteria, and both can respond to antibiotics such as Tylan and Gallimycin, but viruses do not. Respiratory diseases can worsen at night increasing sneezing. Here is a handy list with symptoms of the various respiratory diseases, most of which are contageous and can make carriers of the flock: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

 

[nannie]

my rooster sounds like he is congested,sophia is making chirping noises,extending her neck outwards.i picked her up,she is wheezing.standing around with eyes closed.i put vinegar in water.thanks for the info.i just don't know what else to do.please tell me what you would do.THANKS

 

[Eggcessive]

I would go get some Tylan 50 injectable, and give each sick chicken over 5 lb 1 ml into the breast muscle daily for 3 days. For chickens under 5 lb give 1/2 ml, and 1/4 ml for bantams. If they are showing no improvement, give the medicine for 5 days instead of 3. Some people give Tylan 50 orally, but a shot is always the best. Tylan makes an oral powder for the drinking water, but is very expensive--over $50, but the Tylan 50 is around $12-14 in feed stores. Gallimycin is another good one for the water. Duramycin 10 is commonly used, but is not my first choice, and I would recommend putting some cranberry juice as a substitution for some of the water--1/2 cup is fine, since it works better with some vitamin C and is more tasty to the chickens. I would also call my state vet to ask what diseases are common in that area with your symptoms and how to get tested. Extending the neck severely gasping can be a sign of ILT, and there can be bloody mucus from the nose and mouth. If you see any swelling around the eyes or face, that can be MG or coryza. A bad odor from the head may be coryza. Getting chickens from swap meets or from people you don't know is how some of these diseases get spread, but wild birds around feeders or waterers is also common. Culling sick birds is the best way to end these diseases in your flock, but treating with antibiotics is okay in a small flock, but close the flock to any new birds, and please don't sell any chickens or hatching eggs. Sorry that this is happening. Here is a link to your state vet: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_dis_spec/poultry/states/virginia.pdf

 

[nannie]

should I isolate the sick chickens?i don't know nothing about giving chicken shot,but I will try.i have some 25g needles here that are used for my own b 12 injections.could I use these.also should I eat he eggs she lays after I start her treatment,i will also give cranberry juice.she doesn't seem to have any discharges from anywhere.i did research tylan 5o,sold at tractor supply,but they say it is for cattle.went to southern states today.they suggested vetrx.what is your thought on this.i want to help them,but I want to use the right thing.my husband seems to think its the pollen ,this year has been bad,is this possible.so far all ive done is used acv in water

 

[Eggcessive]

If you can isolate the sick ones, but it may be late. Tylan 50 can be given orally, although shots are best. 22 gauge needles are probably better. Vetrx has it's fans, but it is mosly herbal oils andcamphor, about the same as using vicks salve. I would get the Tylan 50. The cranberry juice is only if you use Duramycin. The Tylan 50 is for cattle and is used for chickens too. You can't eat the eggs while medicating them. I will have to look up the withdrawal time.

 

[nannie]

ok thanks bunches let me know about withdrawal time.im going today to get tylan 50.

 

[Eggcessive]

Withdrawal time for Tylan 50 is 7 days from last dose. You are very welcome, and I hope they get better soon.

 

[nannie]

i gave 1st shot tonight.now I got 4 chickens out of 6 on he sick list.i lifted up their wing and shot them.if im not doing good let me know

 

[Eggcessive]

i gave 1st shot tonight.now I got 4 chickens out of 6 on he sick list.i lifted up their wing and shot them.if im not doing good let me know

Great, I hope it helps. You can give the shot on either side of the breast bone, in the center of the right or left breast, and inject 1/4 inch into the muscle, then rotate sides each day. Here is a link : http://shilala.homestead.com/injection.html