sick chickens

[upperadamschickens]

It started with just one, but seems to have spread through the other 4 - they are making sounds like a cough or sneeze, lethargy, eyes closed often and slightly smaller, poor appetite (they did really like the yogurt this morning). We checked for sour crop and didn't feel a lump, I checked for mites and didn't see any at all -- any ideas out there? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[speckledhen]

They probably have contracted CRD/mycoplasmosis from somewhere. Are they new to you? Did you just buy them or bring in other birds? I can't tell you what to do. If I ever hear a chicken cough, it will be euthanized. I don't mess around with respiratory disease, period. Most leave them carriers, Typhoid Marys, able to spread disease to others, even when they are asymptomatic.

 

[upperadamschickens]

Just wanted to share the good news that our sick chickens seem to have recovered - the first one ill is back with the flock and doing fine! Other than getting picked on a little like she's a new chicken she seems totally well. Don't know if it was just time or the antibiotic that they have all been receiving for 8 days now. The oldest hen is still sick and isolated, but even she seems slightly better. We'll keep the antibiotic flowing for another week - 14 days total. Then hopefully all will be well. Then we have to wait awhile before we can start eating the eggs again--any ideas about how long before the antibiotic will be out of their system?