Respitory Infection

[Klwright1122]

i have several chickens that have developed respitory symptoms right now. Last year I vacinnated my hatch for Newcastle-bronchitis and in doing so many of them developed symptoms and died. They shared that with my existing flock and I am still dealing with it. Periodically they get the runny nose and sneezing thing but aren't dying anymore. I usually treat with Tylan for 7-10 days until its better. But now, I am thinking about culling them as their symptoms ocurr.
I am curious--will I ever get ahead of this...or will all my chickens develope this? I have another hatch this spring, and I am afraid of what is going to happen.
I plan on cleaning the coop and disinfecting it with white vinegar--but whats the reality of "really" disinfecting anything? it is a wood floor coop, the other one is dirt floor....and of course, I have a large chicken run, probably 40x75 feet--can't disinfect that.

Originally when I got my chickens it was for eggs. But with the second order, I was given a free Cornish Rooster who is big, and mean. I wanted to breed him with some Rocks and put them (and him) in freezer camp.
But, I guess I can't or shouldnt put any of these birds in the freezer since some have had symptoms of respitory infection and all have been vaccinated and/or treated with antiobiotics? I am at a loss on what to do. I am not niave enough to think that the chicken we buy from the grocery store is not ever sick or exposed to things prior to its processing....but....
any advice?

 

[CMV]

Cull the flock and start fresh. It sounds like you have CRD in your flock.

 

[Klwright1122]

Good grief...so...their coop and run, do I need to be concerned about the new flock in the old stomping grounds?

 

[CMV]

What is your plan for disinfecting the space?

 

[Klwright1122]

It seems to be a daunting and nearly impossible task. The run is probably 40x75 and there are actually 2 coops side by side. One dirt floor the other is a wood floor. I had read an article yesterday about disinfecting with white vinegar. I guess i'll remove all the bedding and scrape down whatever is dried on to the floors w a shovel...and scrub the place down with vinegar and water. The dirt floor will be a bit harder...but I guess I can dig down about 5-6 inches and remove the dirt floor and replace with shavings and other stuff. I have a pile of chipped tree material I brought in a few years ago that has composted nicely in the back pasture that I can replace it with. But I don't see me doing that for the huge run they have. I am one person without any heavy equipment. So unless there is something I can spread on their run like DE or something similar, That will eradicate it then I am at a loss on what to do. Surely others have come up against this...what have you all done?
**also, for those birds that don't and have never taken on symptoms, can those be processed and eaten? My entire flock is about 40 birds....but about half a dozen have runny noses and sneezing.

 

[CMV]

You may want to look up some posts by foxypoproxy or send her a PM. She recently had to disinfect after her flock was culled for CRD. She could tell you the steps she took to disinfect her coop and runs. I believe she bleached the coop and spread hydrated lime in the runs, but you can double check by looking at her postings.