Respiratory issue in Hen

[KimCook12]

Hi, I am new to this forum, I have had chickens for over 10 years and have not had any issues with disease in the past. I have lost a chicken here and there but now it seems I have a respiratory issue going through. I bought some pullets from a local hatchery, they all died within 2 weeks. I thought I was careful to wash EVERYTHING and I kept them away from my laying hens and meat birds.
It has been month. I have since gotten healthy pullets (mail-order) who are over a month old and growing well. Now one of my older laying hens (she is about 1 1/2) is showing respirator distress. She is wheezing and making guttural noises. I have separated her from the flock given everyone ACV with 2 drops Rosemary, Camphor & Oregano Essential oils, per gallon water. For the sick hen I have added those drops to coconut oil and rubbed on her nostrils and put into the egg I cracked open for her to eat since she is not eating feed and her crop is empty.
Is there anything else to do?
What precautions should I take?
I have ordered VetRx to administer as well.

I know of 3 other people near me ( I haven't been to their properties) and one farm I visited on vacay 3 states away (it was a week before I came home and all clothes were washed) that also had respiratory distress going through their flocks.

Thank you so much for your help!!

 

[SIMZ]

That stuff is very, very contagious and can also be airborne. It went through here early this year. It can be a few things - some mild and some very serious. What you're doing is good and VetRx will be great when you get it. Keep the hen warm, dry, and clean and give her good nutritional support, such as some scrambled egg along with her normal feed. You may just have to wait it out unless you want to go to the vet and have her checked out.

The best case is that this is an isolated and unrelated thing with your hen. Maybe she got into something. Keep us posted. It's a good idea to do your best to isolate those younger pullets. Also give all of your chickens some extra support, like scrambled egg and electrolytes in the water or Nutri-drench occassionally. Stronger birds may be less susceptible.

You may know that many respiratory illnesses can have lasting effects on a flock and make your flock carriers, too. Then it can keep popping up.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I have ordered VetRx to administer as well.

That's essentially vick's vapor rub and won't do much for your hen. Just basically adds camphor smell to the air, but won't heal anything.

What did your local pullets die form in that 2 weeks? Sorry for your losses!

Did they all come from NPIP locations since you call them a hatchery?

How long has your hen been wheezing? Her body may just need nutritional support to fight it off. They really can be quite hardy creatures when we aren't throwing a bunch of treatments at them for unknown illness. If you don't know whether it's viral or bacterial is one thing that makes it difficult. If bacterial many people treat with Tylan 50... I am not suggesting it, just mentioning it.

I will say... I have been researching eggs... and while I will administer liquid yolk as a last ditch effort for someone in trouble... the nutrients are more digestible if cooked (specifically for eggs).

Since electrolytes can be overdosed (and deadly), I won't administer them unless a bird is fresh shipped chicks, had extreme diarrhea, or been off water for some reason. NO supplement should be given for more than 10 days in row.

I do like poultry Nutri drench... aside from the vitamins it has added amino acids. To me, nutrition IS key to so many things! What are you feeding including treats and supplements on a regular basis?

Hope she recover quickly!

 

[Fishkeeper]

That is WAY too much essential oil. Essential oil is extremely concentrated, too much of it can be toxic. It's not going to help her if she's sick, either, they won't do anything to the pathogens. Stop using the oils, definitely don't feed them to a sick bird.
Don't diffuse anything into the air, either. Bird lungs are extremely sensitive to airborne contaminants. Essential oils in the air can kill them, and can seriously harm you or your pets if not diluted with a carrier oil.
Don't rub coconut oil around her nostrils, that's not going to help either.

 

[SIMZ]

I tend to agree with Fishkeeper on all that was said. Another thing is that it's very important for a sick bird to drink and adding strong things to their water may keep them from drinking it.

VetRX is the only thing I would rub on their nostrils if they're wheezing and congested (follow the directions for dilution). As Kim said, it's not really medicine, but if it helps them breathe better it may make them less stressed. Plus, it's nice to think that you're doing something. We've had birds turn around pretty quickly using it - whether coincidence or not I'll never know.

 

[KimCook12]

That stuff is very, very contagious and can also be airborne. It went through here early this year. It can be a few things - some mild and some very serious. What you're doing is good and VetRx will be great when you get it. Keep the hen warm, dry, and clean and give her good nutritional support, such as some scrambled egg along with her normal feed. You may just have to wait it out unless you want to go to the vet and have her checked out.

The best case is that this is an isolated and unrelated thing with your hen. Maybe she got into something. Keep us posted. It's a good idea to do your best to isolate those younger pullets. Also give all of your chickens some extra support, like scrambled egg and electrolytes in the water or Nutri-drench occassionally. Stronger birds may be less susceptible.

You may know that many respiratory illnesses can have lasting effects on a flock and make your flock carriers, too. Then it can keep popping up.

Thank you for your response.
She is doing much better she started eating yesterday and even laid her egg.
She is still gurgling but dong much better.
I will cook the eggs, I didn't know. Thank you for that tip.
I haven't heard of Nutri Drench but will also get that.
I have another Hen who now has a runny swollen eye and a bit easily sounding.
So far the smaller birds all seem fine and are healthy.
My flock is very small just 3 laying hens at this time, I rotate them in and out to keep us in eggs. The older ones are 1.5 years, next are 3 months and then 1 week. The babies are in the garage brooder until I can get this under control. The 3 month olds are confined in a dog pen away from the older layers. Lots of rain here in SO FL lately not sure that's helping.
What do you suggest I do to clean my coop? Thanks so much!

 

[KimCook12]

That's essentially vick's vapor rub and won't do much for your hen. Just basically adds camphor smell to the air, but won't heal anything.

What did your local pullets die form in that 2 weeks? Sorry for your losses!

Did they all come from NPIP locations since you call them a hatchery?

How long has your hen been wheezing? Her body may just need nutritional support to fight it off. They really can be quite hardy creatures when we aren't throwing a bunch of treatments at them for unknown illness. If you don't know whether it's viral or bacterial is one thing that makes it difficult. If bacterial many people treat with Tylan 50... I am not suggesting it, just mentioning it.

I will say... I have been researching eggs... and while I will administer liquid yolk as a last ditch effort for someone in trouble... the nutrients are more digestible if cooked (specifically for eggs).

Since electrolytes can be overdosed (and deadly), I won't administer them unless a bird is fresh shipped chicks, had extreme diarrhea, or been off water for some reason. NO supplement should be given for more than 10 days in row.

I do like poultry Nutri drench... aside from the vitamins it has added amino acids. To me, nutrition IS key to so many things! What are you feeding including treats and supplements on a regular basis?

Hope she recover quickly!

Thank you.
I really don't know what the pullets died from.
The first one died within days, then one by one they just started passing. I did constantly have to clean poop off their vents, but it wasn't runny just seemed to collect there (if that makes sense) The last two just didn't seem to be developing, they got feathers on their wings but they weren't acting as normal healthy chicks act, they were eating but not very active, wings seemed droopy.
I clean my brooders daily with fresh pine shavings, i use a small amount of ACV and Molasses in their water, they get a good organic non-GMO soy-free starter that I grind up to make it easier to eat (for the first month) Scratch & Peck.
I will start cooking the eggs.

Thank you for your response.

 

[KimCook12]

That is WAY too much essential oil. Essential oil is extremely concentrated, too much of it can be toxic. It's not going to help her if she's sick, either, they won't do anything to the pathogens. Stop using the oils, definitely don't feed them to a sick bird.
Don't diffuse anything into the air, either. Bird lungs are extremely sensitive to airborne contaminants. Essential oils in the air can kill them, and can seriously harm you or your pets if not diluted with a carrier oil.
Don't rub coconut oil around her nostrils, that's not going to help either.

Thank you for your response. I appreciate your input and time.

 

[KimCook12]

I tend to agree with Fishkeeper on all that was said. Another thing is that it's very important for a sick bird to drink and adding strong things to their water may keep them from drinking it.

VetRX is the only thing I would rub on their nostrils if they're wheezing and congested (follow the directions for dilution). As Kim said, it's not really medicine, but if it helps them breathe better it may make them less stressed. Plus, it's nice to think that you're doing something. We've had birds turn around pretty quickly using it - whether coincidence or not I'll never know.

Thank yoU!! It will get here today - thankfully they are doing better today! fingers crossed they keep going strong!!

I do want to clean the coop as well as possible - anyone have ideas on that one?
I normally clean it monthly, scooping out all pine and straw down to dirt, rake the dirt, brush off all perches and fresh bedding in the laying buckets.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I did constantly have to clean poop off their vents, but it wasn't runny just seemed to collect there (if that makes sense)

Pasty butt is very common in birds that are struggling. It can be deadly if not cleared often. Possibly an indicator that they had something internally wrong. Genetic is sooo complicated, easy for things to go wrong but not be seen on the outside.

Coccidiosis is a common cause of brooder mortality and bloody poos may not always present. Not sure if it had any effect on your first losses.

Again, I will suggest fresh plain water... molasses can have a laxative effect.

Glad your birds seem to be feeling a bit better!