rooster with respiratory infection - how to treat?

[NewFlockOnTheBlock]

We have a 6 month old rooster with what appears to be a respiratory infection: coughing, sneezing, wheezing/whistling sounds while breathing, beak sometimes slightly open when breathing, sounds hoarse and less than full volume when crowing. He also has a pretty bad case of frostbite on his comb and wattles. We brought him inside this afternoon and are keeping him warm, dark and quiet in a crate in our bedroom. We've been hand-feeding treats and his appetite seems to be good. I haven't seen him drink out of the bowl in his crate yet so I put a few drops of water on the side of his beak and he swallowed those. I also fed him a few leaves of parsley as it's supposed to have antibacterial properties.

Is there anything else we can do in the absence of vet care? None of the vets in our area will treat chickens.

 

[getaclue]

Most feed stores, including Tractor Supply, sell Tylan50 injectable, which can be given orally. That usually works good.

 

[NewFlockOnTheBlock]

Thank you, calling our local feed store now. Should we keep him at home until the symptoms disappear? Want to make sure he is not contagious to the hens.

 

[FishMtFarm]

Yes keep him away from the hens for now as he is contagious.

 

[getaclue]

Yes. Keep him in a dry, clean, warm place until he's well. I use a large dog crate for my infirmary.

 

[NewFlockOnTheBlock]

So our local feed store doesn't carry Tylan 50 or any antibiotics that are labeled for poultry. Are there other antibiotics that can be used on chickens? We are in a remote rural town, there is no Tractor Supply or anything like that nearby.

 

[getaclue]

Is it that they don't carry Tylan50, or is it that they don't carry any antibiotics?

 

[getaclue]

Do you have a good relationship with your Primary Care Physician? Doxycycline works great. If not you can order the Tylan50 online, and get it quickly.

 

[NewFlockOnTheBlock]

I don't think I can get antibiotics from my primary care physician. I haven't been in to see her in almost two years and while she's nice we're not that close. Plus she works at a federally qualified community health clinic and I'm sure they have to be extra careful with antibiotics. Our vet is very careful with antibiotics too and will not prescribe them for our dog without seeing her in person. We've given doxycycline to our pet mice in the past for respiratory infections and I know it works; so does Baytril. I wish we could get our hands on some!

As for the feed store, they do not carry Tylan 50. They said that they do carry some antibiotics but none that are labeled for poultry. I plan to go see what they carry but I'm not sure which drugs would be OK to give to a chicken.

 

[casportpony]

You can get Baytril easily without a prescription. It is banned for use in poultry, so you would have to think about that. Let me know if you want some links to places where you can get it.