Respiratory illness in hen Questions. Please Respond.

[PumpknMoonshine]

Hi,
We got two hens from an auction (never buying from an auction again) and when we got them home we realised they had a respiratory disorder. We treated them for two weeks and they are back to health. It took a good week for us to notice change. I know a lot of people would say to cull but we don't show or breed from our hens so we kept them isolated for a month then mixed them with the others. It's been nearly a year now and they are all doing really well and we are so pleased we stuck by it. I know a lot of people disagree with cat food but we gave them a bit of cat ford each day for the first week to build there strength up. Hope you find the solution that works best for you.

Thank you so much for the positivity. I don't show or breed either. They are just for enjoyment. I'm just taking all the measures advised and day by day watching her closely. We've been keeping her in the guest walk in shower (trust me, my husband loves that ) he's been calling me Ellie Mae from the Beverly Hillbillies, and this morning when she saw me walk down the hall way she followed me with lots of curiosity. So she's feeling better, and has enough fight to try and reject her pill. Still a bit wheezy, but more mobile. I am optimistic for a recovery. Thank you I will keep her isolated for a few weeks (maybe not in the house) don't know how long my husband can take that.... So glad to hear your story, and elated to know your littles made it. Please send positive thoughts Bernadette's way.

 

[PumpknMoonshine]

Also is it normal for her to not be laying due to the stress or illness? I usually get around 3 a week from her???? Vet said she wasn't egg bound.

 

[bertiesmum]

Also is it normal for her to not be laying due to the stress or illness? I usually get around 3 a week from her???? Vet said she wasn't egg bound.

I'm no expert but I do believe when they are poorly they do go off laying. Hopefully someone else can advise for sure?

Ours did stop laying when they were poorly. Good luck! I know a lot of people would disagree about not culling the sick bird but where is no reason why she can't get better. But do be aware that your bird will always be a carrier so can transmit the virus to your other birds. They may go through their whole lives without getting sick but least now you know the signs so you can treat them straight away with Tylan.

Like I said our little ladies got better, they were on deaths door and they are now integrated with the others and they all are ok. Keep us posted. xx

 

[PumpknMoonshine]

I will!! And thank you!

 

[cafarmgirl]

We went through something similar when we got hit with infectious bronchitis 2 1/2 years ago. Symptoms are very similar to what your bird has but I had the vet run some tests and that's what came back. Anyway, I had 8 at the time and all of them came down with it in turn. I treated all of them, also with Baytril. Kept them warm, lots of TLC. They all recovered and we've never had a recurrence, they'll be 5 years old here in just a few weeks. Like you, my flock is just a hobby flock. I don't breed birds or go to shows, I don't sell eggs, chicks or adult birds. No birds leave this property and I don't bring in any new adult birds. I've raised chicks since them, my latest batch is 17 months old now and none of them have ever shown any symptoms. If we did show or breed etc. then yes, I'd have to make the decision to cull. But since that's not the case there's no reason, in my opinion, not to treat if that's what you want to do. Some of these diseases are easier to manage, other's will just keep popping back up and are much more difficult to deal with. Knowing what your dealing with helps if you can have a bird tested.

 

[PumpknMoonshine]

Thanks, looking at the symptoms chart it looks a though it is bronchitis. I'll keep y'all posted. If this persists another vet visit is in her forecast to determine. Thanks again. Keeping her cozy, warm and calm.

 

[PumpknMoonshine]

About four days in, her breathing is labored still and not very active. Though the symptoms are not as intense. If she has not improved after the baytril (four more days) she'll be going back to vet for tests. I'm hoping for the best.

 

[PumpknMoonshine]

Oh and she's eating, still very particular but nonetheless eating, drinking not so much.

 

[cafarmgirl]

Try to get as much fluids into her as possible so she doesn't dehydrate. If she contracted pneumonia as a result of whatever this is she has it will take her a bit longer to recover, it really takes it out of them. When we had our outbreak my rooster was by far the worst as he was the first one to show symptoms and, not knowing what I was dealing with, I didn't treat right away. Once he had seen the vet and started treatment it took him a few days to start looking and sounding better. The vet also gave him sub-q fluids because he hadn't been drinking much at all, made him feel so much better and he started eating/drinking better on his own the same day. I treated the other birds as soon as any of the them showed the first symptom, they recovered much, much faster.

Good luck with your bird, hope she continues to recover.

 

[PumpknMoonshine]

I called the vet office today concerning her medication, and they told me to come up and grab another prescription. It's called Simplicef, I googled it and it sounds pretty intense, and doesn't say anything about use in poultry. The vet has chickens, so I feel good about taking his advice. Just curious if anyone else has heard of this? It's a 100mg tablet split so 50mg for 14 days.