Rattling and not eating

[Sgtrueblood]

Hi. I have a 2 year old Buff Orpington with rattling sounds in her chest. She has no mucus or drainage or facial swelling. She has lost her appetite. I separated her right away and started treating with Tylan (oral). I suspect my flock has been in contact with MG simply because of all the wild birds around. Her crop has not fully emptied in 3 days but it is not hard or liquidy or foul smelling… just seems slow. She has pooped. I took her for an X-ray and the vet found no blockages. They did a fecal float and found a few cecal worms and coccidia. She’s not exhibiting tell tale cocci signs but I’m not surprised she has it in her system. I don’t free range but she does go into a mobile tractor. So back to the rattling. What could it be most likely? Respiratory?… seems like a Tylan would’ve helped by now. Crop issues? She’s been off food for two days but still won’t drink on her own. Or coccidia… explains loss of appetite. How could she have symptoms of all three but no “regular” symptoms. I’m stumped. I’ve never dewormed my chickens but they get a healthy layer pellets and fresh water daily. Not overcrowded and clean coop. Please advise!

 

[Eggcessive]

How does her crop feel—empty and flat, full, hard, doughy, or soft and puffy? Check it first thing in the morning before she eats or drinks, to find out if it is emptying normally. Sounding rattly could be respiratory infection, but if her crop is full and contents are coming back up into her throat, it could be that.

Since she had capillary worms, that needs to be treated. You can use Valbazen 0.5 ml orally and repeated in 10 days. Or use SafeGuard (fenbendazole) 0.25 ml per pound given orally for 5 consecutive days. If you decide to also treat for coccidiosis Corid is very safe.