Sick Chick

[SanJ Customs]

I have a 10 month old chicken and rooster that have taken sick. Labored breathing and congested sounds. I got tetracycline from my vet to treat respiratory but they don't seem like they are improving. Any suggestions? Additionally: The Hen is a ISA Brown and the Rooster is a RIR. The rooster shakes his head and eats some and drinks. The hen is not so I give her treated water with a syringe. I have to clean both nostrils out daily on both birds. I've also been rubbing some VETRX on the nostrils and comb. The gurgling sound doesn't seem to be improving either.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Do you have photos of the birds?
How much ventilation is in your coop? Is there a strong ammonia smell?

Are these birds new to you?

There are many causes of respiratory symptoms in chickens. Depending on what you are dealing with, an antibiotic may be helpful with treatment of symptoms. Symptoms of Mycoplasma, a bacteria like disease, will usually respond to Tetracycline if given the correct dosing. Symptoms from viral disease like Infectious Bronchitis will generally not improve with antibiotics, but often those are given to help treat any secondary infection.

Did the vet give any indication as to what illness you are dealing with?

Are the crops on both birds emptying overnight?
Did the vet perform a fecal float?

 

[SanJ Customs]

Un

Do you have photos of the birds?
How much ventilation is in your coop? Is there a strong ammonia smell?

Are these birds new to you?

There are many causes of respiratory symptoms in chickens. Depending on what you are dealing with, an antibiotic may be helpful with treatment of symptoms. Symptoms of Mycoplasma, a bacteria like disease, will usually respond to Tetracycline if given the correct dosing. Symptoms from viral disease like Infectious Bronchitis will generally not improve with antibiotics, but often those are given to help treat any secondary infection.

Did the vet give any indication as to what illness you are dealing with?

Are the crops on both birds emptying overnight?
Did the vet perform a fecal float?

Unfortunately the vets in our area just do the basics with poultry. They are mostly small/Large animal vets. The Rooster was pretty new but came from a healthy flock. My ventilation is max right now as we are just getting into fall here. I clean the coop every Sunday and apply all new bedding. No ammonia small at all. I had 3 sick ones but the silver leghorn (3-4 yrs old) died 2 days ago. She wasn't drinking so with an eye dropper I placed a couple of drops in her mouth and when she swallowed she stated shaking like they do when their head is removed and just died. Now I'm a little nervous about giving the others any fluids manually. I have separated my sick ones from the flock and have them in a well ventilated crate that is 4'x3'x4' and had an open top. I have a small heat lamp in there as well. I will try to get a video this evening. The birds crops empty and the rooster is pooping what looks like green grass and milky liquid. the hen I don't think is eating enough to poop. The rooster shakes his head from side to side at times like he's trying to shake the gurgling out.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Here's a good way to give medications.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...dications-to-all-poultry-and-waterfowl.73335/

I'm sorry that you are having so much trouble. If you lose another bird, then having testing/necropsy through your state lab so you can determine what you are dealing with would be a good idea. This will give you the best info about treatment options (if any).

Do you see any lesions or canker inside the beak?
Bad odor coming from the birds, the mucous or from the beak?
Any ear infection or lice/mites?

 

[SanJ Customs]

Here's a good way to give medications.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...dications-to-all-poultry-and-waterfowl.73335/

I'm sorry that you are having so much trouble. If you lose another bird, then having testing/necropsy through your state lab so you can determine what you are dealing with would be a good idea. This will give you the best info about treatment options (if any).

Do you see any lesions or canker inside the beak?
Bad odor coming from the birds, the mucous or from the beak?
Any ear infection or lice/mites?

They have crusty nostrils that I clean often. Everything else seems normal. No other noticeable exterior problems that I can see.

 

[SanJ Customs]

Here's a good way to give medications.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...dications-to-all-poultry-and-waterfowl.73335/

I'm sorry that you are having so much trouble. If you lose another bird, then having testing/necropsy through your state lab so you can determine what you are dealing with would be a good idea. This will give you the best info about treatment options (if any).

Do you see any lesions or canker inside the beak?
Bad odor coming from the birds, the mucous or from the beak?
Any ear infection or lice/mites?

this is a short video of my birds.

 

[SanJ Customs]

Thank you for your help!

 

[DoveChick09]

Next time if the antibiotics don't work, ask for Sulfatrim from your vet. It's a broad-based antibiotic. Not every disease is going to respond, as you know, to the same antibiotic. Some need different ones.