Roo with respiratory infection

[muddytoes]

Well I unintentionally raised a roo as can happen. Kidded myself I could somehow keep him (hes a beautiful roo) by fooling around with crow collars that did not work, bringing him in at night and putting him in a large home made cage. Finally realized he was just crowing way too much and it was going to get me in trouble. Found someone on craigslist who took him but returned him a few days later saying he was attacking her ducks (she did not free range). Any way I took him, thinking I would go to the swap on Saturday, put him in his cage and noticed what sounded like snoring or rattling sounds with his breathing. He was not himself in the AM, very little of the normal 130 DB ear piercing crows. Not as demanding to go out as normal (I would usually let him out in the PM and watch him go nuts chasing the hens - quite hilarious actually) Overall his eyes are clear, but he had what appeared to be the equivalent of a runny nose, some clear liquid on his beak. He has hardly protested staying in his cage which is also not normal.

Granted a vet could provide the best advice but wondering if there is a common go-to treatment users can recommend? I have quite a few antibiotics on had (I guess I have a bit of a prepper mentality) (Oxytet. Zithromycin, Amoxicillin, Cipro, Metronidazol and maybe a couple others.

I know one option is to just cull not really wanting to go that route. Any suggestions? I have never had any of my birds get ill so this is new for me. Maybe just wait it out? I want to get him healthy again and try to adopt him out, he is a great roo.

 

[Eggcessive]

The oxytet might be best if he has mycoplasma (MG.) Unfortunately many respiratory diseases can make them carriers for life, once they recover. He may have picked up something from her flock and brought it back to spread to yours. Here is a good link about common diseases, and it has the symptoms for infectious bronchitis, MG, ILT, coryza, and others:
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

 

[muddytoes]

Yikes, Thank you Eggcessive. He was briefly exposed to my flock before I brought him in last night. I have had him in quarantine since. Well I guess I am learning the hard way. Appreciate the information I will read the link.

 

[Eggcessive]

You’re welcome. Just watch everyone close for the next 10 days or so. I would also disinfect waterers and feeders, and pick up some droppings just to be safe. If you want to know what he might have, call your state vet to learn how to get him tested. Here is a list of the state vets:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

 

[muddytoes]

Thank you so much this is fantastic, yes I will watch them and I do want to know what he has. I'll try to keep everything really clean.

He's resting in my basement in his cage, oxytet in his water. It's weird to see him acting so calm and sleeping s lot, I noticed also green runny droppings, his were always on the dry side. Sneezing now,

I'll check into testing and keep an eye on the others, hang out after roosting for the night listen to their breathing

 

[muddytoes]

I'll call one of the Colorado labs today. I hope treating with oxytet does not blow the results, it would be really helpful to know what he has / (had?) to decide what to do with him. He is close to his normal self today, lots of crowing, dry beak, he really wants out of his cage. Seems too quick to be a result of the oxytet but I really don't know. I will listen to his breathing tonight when he sleeps.

 

[Eggcessive]

He may just have a virus called infectious bronchitis. The symptoms can include sneezing often, clear drainage from the beak, and some congestion. It can last up to a month, and it can make them carriers from 5 months up to a year afterwards. No treatment or antibiotics will treat it.

 

[muddytoes]

In the spirit of experience / information sharing I did pick up test kits from the CSU Veterinary / Avian Diagnostics lab and swabbed two hens and the Roo today. I will share results. Not observed any illness in the hens. The roo is still fully rebounded and his normal exuberant self.

 

[muddytoes]

 

[Waves]

Wow! he's a top model