Respiratory emergency

[Asharpegg]

we are in the middle of a snow storm.
Thursday before all the snow was heading this way the chickens were out in the yard(only free range when we are with them)
They have a large coop and run and it’s very dry. It’s been a bit more dusty than usual. I recognized that a chicken was not well.
I immediately secluded her in our chicken reformatory cage. She was girgling and shaking head with a cough. Never had a chicken cough before in the 6 years we’ve had chickens, but I assume this is what a chicken cough sounds like. It seemed like a respiratory infection me so I called our vet and immediately got Tylosin for her. I made sure I got enough for flock. Well now I’m concerned that I’m seeing signs in a few others and don’t have a spot to set up more secluded chicken cages because of the bitter temps and snow. I have to treat them all. So I’ve treated their water and I even put a heat lamp in run of coop. It’s very safe and can’t start any fire. We have sand in our coop/run and it’s hanging secured to beams. Should I also spray every chicken under wings with Vet RX? I really want to save my precious flock. Some ladies are 6 yo.
Please give advice! Has anyone been through this. Thank you

 

[coach723]

If in fact you have a virus in play, they have all already been exposed, most of them (virus's) are very contagious. I would just treat them all, and only isolate any bird(s) that may be at risk of injury from others (sometimes a sick bird will be attacked). Vet Rx isn't really going to help, it's basically like Vicks vaporub. I would just try to make sure they are all getting the medicated water.
Do be very careful with a heat lamp, there are coop fires and lost flocks every year, the danger is real.
If the Tylosin helps, then in the future you might want to get at least one tested to ID the virus (often can be done with a swab). Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) is very common, and it's chronic (the birds are carriers for life), so symptoms will return during times of stress and you may need to retreat periodically.

 

[Asharpegg]

If in fact you have a virus in play, they have all already been exposed, most of them (virus's) are very contagious. I would just treat them all, and only isolate any bird(s) that may be at risk of injury from others (sometimes a sick bird will be attacked). Vet Rx isn't really going to help, it's basically like Vicks vaporub. I would just try to make sure they are all getting the medicated water.
Do be very careful with a heat lamp, there are coop fires and lost flocks every year, the danger is real.
If the Tylosin helps, then in the future you might want to get at least one tested to ID the virus (often can be done with a swab). Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) is very common, and it's chronic (the birds are carriers for life), so symptoms will return during times of stress and you may need to retreat periodically.

Thank you so much for the reply and the knowledge. I will continue to treat and have one tested.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry that you may be dealing with a respiratory disease. Have you added any new birds to your flock in the last few weeks? Do you see any bubbles or foam, or any swelling in one or both eyes of the chicken with the symptoms? Tylosin dosage is 1 tsp per gallon of water for 5 days. It doesn’t mix easily unless you add the water to the powder. Change it at least every 2 days.