Respiratory Infection in Chicks

[ruby13326]

I was wondering someone can help me, I'm desperate and can't stand to see these chicks sick any more. I have three chicks with respiratory infections. They are sneezing and one is now gasping for air. One is about 12 weeks old, he is holding his own but lately seems to be getting worse. I was using injectable baytril on him for 5 days and it didn't help, then switched to sulmet for 5 days and it didn't help and now he has been on Tylan powder (1/16 tsp in 1 quart water) for 5 days. He's not getting better. He was with an 8 week old chick who died last week. There are 2 more sick chicks and so they are with him now but they are only about 8 weeks old. He sneezes and coughs, the other two do the same but now one is gasping for air like the one who died last week. What do you suggest? They are in 85 degrees with a heat lamp, I am feeding them Tylan in their water, scrambled eggs, chopped brussel sprouts, peas, yogurt, and chick starter. This is really depressing me, I feel really bad and my vet doesn't take chickens. She did perscribe for me the Tylan and also the Baytril which I used to treat bumblefoot. What can I do? I also have teramycin....

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Generally young chicks don't get a respiratory infection without a good reason. 85 degrees is too hot for a 12 week old bird. Fresh air is very important to chickens, especially chicks, so if they are sitting in a hot brooder without fresh air it isn't good for them. Chicks can die from too much heat too. A wet or dirty brooder will cause brooder pneumonia which is caused by a fungus.

Could you share your set up? I know nothing of treating, so someone else will have to help with that.

 

[Eggcessive]

Have you seen a respiratory disease at any time in your older chickens? Most of them including MG, ILT, and coryza, are carrier diseases. MG can even pass through hatching eggs. The next time you lose a chicken, refrigerate it, and send it in to your state vet for a necropsy, so that you can get a diagnosis. If you have treated with all of those antibiotics, you are either dealing with a virus or they are getting air sacculitis. I would want to find out what it is.
Have you seen any swollen eyes or gunky eye drainage, nasal snots or a bad smell? Have you seen any bloody mucus from the beaks or nostrils?

 

[ruby13326]

I have had respiratory infections before, usually around this time of year. I have seen swollen eyes, and gunky eye drainage before but not this time. No smell ever. No bloody mucus. How do you go about finding a state vet to diagnose your chicken? Does it cost a lot?

 

[ruby13326]

Have you seen a respiratory disease at any time in your older chickens? Most of them including MG, ILT, and coryza, are carrier diseases. MG can even pass through hatching eggs. The next time you lose a chicken, refrigerate it, and send it in to your state vet for a necropsy, so that you can get a diagnosis. If you have treated with all of those antibiotics, you are either dealing with a virus or they are getting air sacculitis. I would want to find out what it is.
Have you seen any swollen eyes or gunky eye drainage, nasal snots or a bad smell? Have you seen any bloody mucus from the beaks or nostrils?

I have had respiratory infections before, usually around this time of year. I have seen swollen eyes, and gunky eye drainage before but not this time. No smell ever. No bloody mucus. How do you go about finding a state vet to diagnose your chicken? Does it cost a lot?

 

[ruby13326]

Generally young chicks don't get a respiratory infection without a good reason. 85 degrees is too hot for a 12 week old bird. Fresh air is very important to chickens, especially chicks, so if they are sitting in a hot brooder without fresh air it isn't good for them. Chicks can die from too much heat too. A wet or dirty brooder will cause brooder pneumonia which is caused by a fungus.

Could you share your set up? I know nothing of treating, so someone else will have to help with that.

They are actually in a hot tub, and are huddled under the lamp,,, ironically. They must have fevers. I clean the tub everyday... what else do you do with sick chicks?

 

[ruby13326]

Generally young chicks don't get a respiratory infection without a good reason. 85 degrees is too hot for a 12 week old bird. Fresh air is very important to chickens, especially chicks, so if they are sitting in a hot brooder without fresh air it isn't good for them. Chicks can die from too much heat too. A wet or dirty brooder will cause brooder pneumonia which is caused by a fungus.

Could you share your set up? I know nothing of treating, so someone else will have to help with that.

Also, these chicks were hatched by hens... my chickens have a coop but are free range. They are just for pets.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Also, these chicks were hatched by hens... my chickens have a coop but are free range. They are just for pets.

Now I understand. I would guess it's something brought in by wild birds and brought on by the weather changes. I too will often see a few with respiratory problems in the fall. With my flock, either they recover or we cull if they are too bad. Treating illnesses didn't work out for us. We prefer to now cultivate a healthy flock and cull anything weak or sickly as generally they will die anyways. I have had birds recover from respiratory issues on their own as well.

@Eggcessive is an expert at giving good treatment advice.

 

[Eggcessive]

Just a guess, but I would say that you are dealing with mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG,) although infectious bronchitis (IB) can sometimes accompany or be a secondary infection. The Tylan can treat symptoms of MG, but they still may be sick for awhile. Chickens with respiratory diseases may chill and need to be kept warm. I would close your flock and not hatch more birds, or you will probably continue to see this. I haven't seen a lot of disease in my flock, but I suspect I once had an outbreak of infectious bronchitis. When all of your birds are gone someday of old age hopefully, you can start over with new healthy chicks after waiting a couple of weeks, and you shouldn't see further disease since these diseases usually only last a few days on equipment and in the environment. I hope these little ones do okay. If you use Tylan powder again, I would give 1/4 tsp per quart or 1 tsp per gallon for 5 days.

 

[BYC910]

I have had respiratory infections before, usually around this time of year. I have seen swollen eyes, and gunky eye drainage before but not this time. No smell ever. No bloody mucus. How do you go about finding a state vet to diagnose your chicken? Does it cost a lot?

Don't know about cost . Depends on your state. All states have a department of agriculture and should have a lab and a state vet. Your vet should be able to help with that . If you live in the US that is . Here in Tenn. A licensed vet has to write the order for it. They will send you the report as well as your vet .If the state suspects an infectious disease on your farm or if they find one on a farm close to you they will do it on their own . Problem with sick chickens they are so sick by the time you realize they are .That's what makes treating them so hard . To expensive to take them to a vet if that is you can find one that will treat them . Most farmers just cull them and hatch some more .Just a hard fact of farm life. good luck with your flock