(Seems like) breathing problems. What can I do to help ?

[Robjnack]

Hi,
it's been a couple of very hot and humid days here south of Montreal. Around 30-40 with humidex factor.
This may be related or not, but one of my Ameraucana started (what seems like to be) looking for air... She opens her mouth and breath with effort. She is not really interested in following her group or treats (worms).
I'm not sure I can share a link like that, but if you can watch the video, look for yourself (https://goo.gl/photos/BtXbhFcPADmZS8Kf8)
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,

 

[Eggcessive]

It looks like she is gasping either from a respiratory infection, or possibly something in her airway, such as a piece or food. You might want to get some antibiotics such as tylosisn (Tylan,) oxytetracycline, or erythromycin, and treat her. /those will not cure a fungal or viral disease, but can help to prevent secondary bacterial infections. Good coop ventilation, fans, and dry bedding can help prevent respiratory diseases. Moldy wet conditions can cause aspergillosis, and infectious bronchitis, MG, and ILT are other common respiratory diseases in chickens. Here is a good link to read about those: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

I would also consider worming your flock, since some worms can cause breathing problems. Levamisole, fenbendazole, and Flubenvet are some that might be available to you in Canada, either in a farm store or from a vet.

 

[Robjnack]

Ok, thank you for your quick response.
I will look into that. I can create additionnal openings in the top of the coop for better ventilation, and hope humidity will drop a bit in the coming days. I'll keep the bedding as dry as possible. Yesterday, she 'insisted' in sleeping perched on the doorstep, between the coop and the run. I didn't close the inner door for that reason, not thinking she could be positioning herself to get 'fresher' air...
Anyway, I will also find a 'farm store' near my home and look for some of the meds you suggest.
Thanks again,
I really hope she'll get better !

 

[Robjnack]

So, I went to the vet yesterday and it is indeed an infectious bronchitis.
We started medication yesterday and pulled the girl away from the flock.

Still, a question :
Looking at the pic (https://goo.gl/photos/PL2SVfqxF2iaMnFq6) where we show the 'quarantined area', is that enough ? Because at some point during the day (mostly in the morning before free range starts) all the chickens can 'meet' around the cage of the sick girl. Is that enough precautions ? We don't really know how contagious the IB can be...


Thanks !

 

[Eggcessive]

With infectious bronchitis, chickens are carriers for up to a year, so most of them either have already been exposed or will be over the next year. IB is probably the most common, most contagious, but one of the milder respiratory diseases for grown chickens. Most hens will recover in 2-3 weeks, as long as they don't develop secondary infections, and the antibiotics will help. Here is more information about the disease:
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/78/infectious-bronchitis-ib/
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/p...view_of_infectious_bronchitis_in_poultry.html

 

[Robjnack]

Ok nice, it is reassuring. Thank you a lot for this; your answers, the links and all. I read everything and it was very relevant.

Looking at the situation right now, I'm wondering if we are taking too much precautions then... (all the opposite of my inital concern).

The little girl is very (from what we can see) 'anxious' to return with the flock. She tries to fly in her cage and chirps a lot when her friends are near or when she sees them going into the coop at night. Our little human hearts are melting when we see that !
Do you think, since the IB exposure seems inevitable for the others, that we should stop the quarantine ? Our vet suggested 1-2 weeks, but it seems excessive (not eggcessive, hehe) at this point.
Thanks again for your opinion,

 

[Eggcessive]

I really don't think that you could possibly keep her far enough away to not infect the others unless she was on the other side of the property far away. Since she will be back in the flock soon, she will still be a carrier even after she recovers for 5 months to a year. So I wouldn't continue to isolate, especially since they might forget her and attack her when she comes back into the flock. That is only my opinion though, and what I would do. Others may well disagree, but with IB, the others may already have been exposed. Some will be symptomatic, others may not. Since they can be carriers for up to a year, I would advise not to breed or add chickens to your flock for at least a year. Good luck.