sick chicken!!!!! please help

[Kyzmette]

The problem with chicken diseases is that you can't really know unless you want to go to the trouble and expense of vet bills and pathogenic cultures, or if the bird is exhibiting classic symptoms of one of the big nasties. This time of year everything is going around for birds just like it does humans. Chickens are like kids in a school playground and snotty-nosed sparrows are out there playing, too.

Always isolate new incoming birds for at least thirty days. Worm them, treat them for mites and lice, whether you see them or not, and watch them. Without any other symptoms it looks like a simple sinus infection, but you can't know for sure yet. If you want to, you could always treat with an antibiotic like Duramycin or Tylan. There are others here who can get into greater depths on those, or you can google or search byc for some excellent advice on them.

If you choose to keep or return the bird, you will only know if it was the right decision based on the bird's health next month. And even if you return the bird, one of those snotty-nosed sparrows could still sneeze on your kids in the lunch line and give them something worse. Like chicken cooties.

 

[bertiesmum]

I'm not an expert. However, from my experience it sounds as though it could be mycoplasma. A respiratory disease. This can be treated with Tylan. However, the bird will always be a carrier. We got two hens which were on deaths door with myco plasma so we kept them separate and treated them until they were well. Now they have no symptoms and have never looked so well. Sometimes I think it's worth the time to persevere. I'm pleased we did.

 

[urban chicks]

thanks again guys, and since you said that shed ill still be a carrier does this mean that if i put her with the rest of the flock she will give them the disease?

 

[bertiesmum]

I don't really know the ins and outs of it if I am honest. The way I understood it and I may be completely wrong was that it doesn't necessarily mean that your other hens will get it but there is a risk we mixed our sick hens once they were better after a month or so being separated and that was in June. We haven't had any probs with any of them since. But now we are armed with antibiotics and feel we would recognise symptoms if it ever arises in our flock again. If you search myco plasma on here you will find lots of info. We also now give our hens cider vinegar in their water and crushed garlic pellets in their food. Apparently it helps with their immune system. Don't give up with your hens. We nearly returned these, but the man said he would put them down so we invested a bit of time and £40 into making them better. Now they are so happy. I will post a pic for you to see how well they are.

 

[bertiesmum]

 

[Kyzmette]

@bertiesmum they're gorgeous!

 

[bertiesmum]

@Kyzmette thanks. They were so poorly and frightened and now they are so well, getting tame and have started laying. Sometimes it's worth persevering.

 

[Kyzmette]

Chick this out for a selection of respiratory disease symptoms, and you'll see how closely many of them resemble others. But you might recognize something specific. You can also google and your local college or co-op may have a list of local strains which would be pertinent to your flock.

http://www.barnyardhealth.com/resinindompo.html

 

[urban chicks]

they are beautiful, thank you guys for all the info but i was wondering if maybe its not a big problem because most of the time her eyes are clear only sometimes i see the bubbles on the eyes and she isn't coughing or sneezing and she is eating and drinking and scratching around she seems healthy otherwise, and if you don't mind me asking what did you use for your hens @bertiesmum since you said they had a similar problem and now they look so healthy and beautiful

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

To me (if it is infact a respiratory disease, which I believe it is) it is a big problem. You may be able to get where her eyes never foam again and act perfectly healthy, but she would still be a carrier. I guess if you just have chickens for eggs or pets, it wouldn't be a big deal if your chickens are carriers for the disease (as long as you dont sell any). If you show or breed that is another story.