Sick flock.. lost one, venting and advice?

[Chickenmini]

Hello, I’m new to chickens on this past year. I believe I’ve accidentally made them sick due to environmental factors, but the sickness got so bad that I’ve lost one. They all have respiratory issues, that isn’t really spreading, only 6 chickens out of 20+ have gotten sick. And they improve within 2-3 days of Duramycin, and a completely aired out coop.
I feel so bad because I noticed this one chicken this afternoon struggling to breathe. Stretching her head out and gasping faintly. I gave her some water with antibiotics, and left her alone. Anything I looked up did not tell me how to help a chicken that’s suffocating.. I thought maybe she would get better like the other ones have been, except they weren’t breathing like that. I guess I panicked and hoped for the best. I feel like I made her suffer.
I went out to give her water again, and she flailed around and passed away... I think she asphyxiated. I’m worried if this happens again. What can I do for one that is gasping like that? I did find a video.. after the fact.. that said you can hold them on their side and do compressions. Is that true?
Can anything be done for it

 

[cavemanrich]

Sorry to hear this sad news.
Are you willing to disclose the mistake you made?? so others don't do same. We all learn as we go.
Don't blame yourself,,, I'm sure you intended well,, things do happen.
I don't have any advice, what to do next time, but others reading here may.


WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,and

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss. Welcome to BYC. Could you give more details of the symptoms your sick chickens had, where they came from, how they are housed, and what you think happened? Sometimes people buy chickens from other people who sell birds who are from flocks where there has been a chronic respiratory disease. When wd accidentally bring in a carrier, it can affect the future of our flock, since most respiratory diseases are lifelong. If you lose another bird, I would send the body to your state vet lab for a necropsy and to get a diagnosis. Here is a list of state vet labs to contact for a necropsy, but the body should be kept cold, not frozen while awaiting a necropsy:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry...L5h4Xt137GBu32pWJZSRUY5DYhQyVrd4ODmF-Ab8otocc

 

[Chickenmini]

Sorry for your loss. Welcome to BYC. Could you give more details of the symptoms your sick chickens had, where they came from, how they are housed, and what you think happened? Sometimes people buy chickens from other people who sell birds who are from flocks where there has been a chronic respiratory disease. When wd accidentally bring in a carrier, it can affect the future of our flock, since most respiratory diseases are lifelong. If you lose another bird, I would send the body to your state vet lab for a necropsy and to get a diagnosis. Here is a list of state vet labs to contact for a necropsy, but the body should be kept cold, not frozen while awaiting a necropsy:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry...L5h4Xt137GBu32pWJZSRUY5DYhQyVrd4ODmF-Ab8otocc

My coops only ventilation is a window that had gotten stuck during a week straight of rain and humidity, so the coop had no ventilation along with being damp. They don’t have any type of bedding, I’ve talked to some farmers who have had chickens for a long long time who never use bedding and have never had sick birds. But I think they got sick due to ammonia build up.
They are exhibiting the symptoms that follow mycoplasma, but they don’t all have the exact same symptoms. One bird had crackling breathing, none of the others did, one bird had sneezed out alittle blood but none of the others did. I’ve been tracking all symptoms per bird. They have all gotten sick on either day 1(the 10th) or the 11th and 12th. Have not had any more sick birds since the 12th.
They all have gotten much better since antibiotics in the water , and opening each door and window and leaving them open all day and all night. Except the one who passed. I did have to try to make them drink, since their eyes were swollen shut. So maybe i accidentally got water in her lungs. We tried to dip her like you do with babies

 

[Eggcessive]

Chickens always need overhead ventilation even in winter cold, but just no direct drafts then. Ammonia fumes can cause eye irritation, even blindness eventually. It also can irritate the respiratory system making it more likely for infections. Mold can lead to brooder pneumonia (aspergillosis.) If chicks come from other people, and not a hatchery, they can be carriers of a respiratory disease, such as MG, infectious bronchitis, coryza and others. Get a necropsy if you lose another, and they can tell you what you are dealing with.

Always use bedding, and keep it stirred and dry. Add new bedding when it is getting soiled and smells, or change it out. Sand is a good type of bedding to use since you can scoop it with a cat litter shovel and sweep it out daily. Not everyone who gives advice about chickens is necessarily correct. Ask others if in doubt. Chicken books are available at most feed stores.

 

[Chickenmini]

Chickens always need overhead ventilation even in winter cold, but just no direct drafts then. Ammonia fumes can cause eye irritation, even blindness eventually. It also can irritate the respiratory system making it more likely for infections. Mold can lead to brooder pneumonia (aspergillosis.) If chicks come from other people, and not a hatchery, they can be carriers of a respiratory disease, such as MG, infectious bronchitis, coryza and others. Get a necropsy if you lose another, and they can tell you what you are dealing with.

Always use bedding, and keep it stirred and dry. Add new bedding when it is getting soiled and smells, or change it out. Sand is a good type of bedding to use since you can scoop it with a cat litter shovel and sweep it out daily. Not everyone who gives advice about chickens is necessarily correct. Ask others if in doubt. Chicken books are available at most feed stores.

True but my grandparents were also chicken tenders with hundreds of them , they were clueless because they have never had sick ones and they don’t use bedding. I don’t know… I’ve seen more people use bedding and get sick chickens but only if the chickens don’t free roam, mine were free roam, but didn’t let them out of the run until noon. So I think the amount of space they get plays the biggest role. I just made a mistake not getting the window open or letting them roam sooner. These chickens came from a hatchery and they are about a year old now. They were in a coop just fine with no ventilation other than the door being open and them having access to the run 24/7, so this current coop is new ish to them.
There is no easy to get antibiotics anymore is there, without seeing a vet?