Rattling breathing/wheezing

[CheeseandCackles]

Hello!

I know there’s a lot about respiratory issues online, but I didn’t really understand how you get them better?

should I be taking one to a vet to get a prescription for antibiotics?

I have a couple hens that are wheezing, ones worse than others and also sneezes a bit. No obvious discharge from the nose or eyes that I’ve seen.

Should I just assume they’re all sick? Take all 4 indoors? Buy separate containers?
Help please

 

[sloanbychoice]

@aart would you be able to help one this one? I’m assuming Tylan, but...

 

[Eggcessive]

Are the ones who are wheezing and sneezing, active and alert, eating and drinking okay, or are they acting more lethargic? Do they act sick? There are a handful of common respiratory diseases in chickens, that are viruses (infectious bronchitis, ILT,) bacterial (mycoplasma gallisepticum or MG, infectious coryza, ORT,) and from molds or fungus (aspergillosis.) Viruses and fungal diseases will not respond to antibiotics, and viruses will run their course over time. MG and coryza symptoms can be treated with certain antibiotics that you may get from a vet. Most respiratory diseases will make the whole flock carriers for life (IB makes them carriers for up to a year.) It is hard to get most antibiotics nowadays. Some may be available online, if you can get some testing to know what you are treating. Look at your coop ventilation, any dust in the coop or dusty feed that might make them sneeze when they are eating.
Here is a good link about those diseases:
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

 

[aart]

@aart would you be able to help one this one? I’m assuming Tylan, but...

Nope, sorry...don't use antibiotics here.
..and would advise anyone to get a cultured swab done before administering any respiratory medication.

 

[Rlmp817]

Nope, sorry...don't use antibiotics here.
..and would advise anyone to get a cultured swab done before administering any respiratory medication.

What would you do (without antibiotics) for such issues?
My flock started wheezing yesterday and today one is ocughing, but no mucous, no eye discharge.
Being that we are in "shelter at home" orders and that I do not know a local poulty vet, I am looking into basic home wellness ideas (apple cider vinegar at higher concentations, garlic &/ oregano chopped on the side of their food, etc) to help them naturally combat whatever respiratory issues that may have contracted.
Any suggestions/ ideas to include?
TIA!

 

[aart]

What would you do (without antibiotics) for such issues?

They either survive or die....I euthanize birds to sick to eat/drink/etc.
No drugs used here, why I grow my own eggs and meat.
Had some mild respiratory issues when I first started, brought it in with older birds before I knew better than to do that, they seemed to get over it.
Have a couple 'squeeky sneezers' now, which could be respiratory.

 

[Rlmp817]

They either survive or die....I euthanize birds to sick to eat/drink/etc.
No drugs used here, why I grow my own eggs and meat.
Had some mild respiratory issues when I first started, brought it in with older birds before I knew better than to do that, they seemed to get over it.
Have a couple 'squeeky sneezers' now, which could be respiratory.

That seems to be about what I am dealing with now. None of the birds are too sick to eat/drink, no lethargy issues. So I will continue on! Thanks so much!

 

[Mazy1561]

What would you do (without antibiotics) for such issues?
My flock started wheezing yesterday and today one is ocughing, but no mucous, no eye discharge.
Being that we are in "shelter at home" orders and that I do not know a local poulty vet, I am looking into basic home wellness ideas (apple cider vinegar at higher concentations, garlic &/ oregano chopped on the side of their food, etc) to help them naturally combat whatever respiratory issues that may have contracted.
Any suggestions/ ideas to include?
TIA!

I had a turkey that is a bit wheezing and called vet. I got some onycin 1000 to put in water. Also good for chickens as I have one. Seems to be working