Sick hen? What can I do?

[Shawna89]

One of my hens has a small squishy lump on her face right near her eye. Her eye is a little watery as well. What is this?

 

[Shawna89]

Has anyone else had problems like this?

 

[ivan3]

Does she look something like the pic of the turkey on this page: http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pou...lasma_gallisepticum_infection_in_poultry.html ?

 

[TattooedMama]

It's a swollen sinus. It could be caused by any number of turkey respiratory diseases. I already had two being tested at UC Davis for suspicion of a respiratory disease and another mine just appeared with a swollen sinus like this last night

 

[TattooedMama]

Also Tylan can clear this up potentially but if it's something like Mycoplasma, your bird will be a carrier for life and infect any other bird it has contact with (or could have done this already).

 

[TattooedMama]

Some more info.

http://www.apa-abayouthpoultryclub.org/Edu_Material/Poultry Diseases/What_is_Mycoplasma.pdf

 

[Shawna89]

I looked at the picture and it isn't as severe as that turkey. I'll get some Tylan and try it. Should I treat all my birds?

 

[TattooedMama]

Thats a hard question to answer. If you only have one sick turkey it may not be necessary. You should quarantine that turkey and see what other symptoms it may or may not have. Also, keep an eye on others for problems. Keep in mind, a sickness is a process, it just may not be that big yet. It could of course potentially be something else. The problem with not testing is that you don't ever really know. Giving birds antibiotics that don't need them isn't always the best idea but thats a personal decision to make. When 2 new turkeys presented with respiratory issues a few weeks ago here, I did decide to treat everyone and shipped the 2 perpetrators off to be euthanized and necropsied. This was an easier decision because these were new birds (for Thanksgiving) and my state also does this for free for backyard flocks up to two birds a day. Also, Tylan 50 does not have dosage information for birds so you will have to look around BYC; not sure about Tylan 200. Do you sell birds and eggs to others or is this just a flock for personal use? If your birds do have something contagious and you sell any eggs, poults or adults you can spread it to their flock even once symptoms have passed.

 

[Shawna89]

I just have 4 turkey's as pets and I have given the Tylan before for respiratory problems. So I don't sell eggs or poults which is good that I won't spread anything to anyone else! I really don't want to euthanize her, like I said, I only have 4

 

[TattooedMama]

I just have 4 turkey's as pets and I have given the Tylan before for respiratory problems. So I don't sell eggs or poults which is good that I won't spread anything to anyone else! I really don't want to euthanize her, like I said, I only have 4

If you exercise a closed flock then you shouldn't need to cull her. Lots of people just treat these kinds of issues without ever testing and never know they even have something contagious on their property. As long as you don't sell any birds or eggs then you should be fine. I would be careful if you visit friends with poultry as some of those respiratory diseases are carried on clothes, shoes, etc. Treat her with the Tylan and hopefully she feels better soon, good luck!!