Sick hen with respiratory issues.

[sonderah]

I have a new hen & her mate in quarantine still. A few days after arrival she began having a runny nose. Now she is coughing and raspy. I went to my local farm supply and the only antibiotic they had for poultry is Oxytetracycline powder. I am fixing to treat her & the roo with that. Should I treat the rest of my flock with Vet Rx just incase, since it is being coughed into the air? How long will I need to not eat or hatch eggs for either medication??

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Your chicken is ill with a respiratory disease most likely.

See the diagnosis charts at bottom here:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

Some people cull for respiratory disease and others treat but the treatment doesn't cure them and they will likely infect your flock. They may be carriers for life and if it is mycoplamsa gallisepticum it can pass through the egg to the chick. You would need to keep a closed flock and not sell to others- not even hatching eggs.

If it were me I would put them both down or try to return them to the seller ASAP.

There is a blood test for mycoplasma at the vet's. Another way to determine which disease it is, is to have a necropsy done - you can contact your state vet or county extension agent and the body needs to be kept refrigerated.

It is possible to be an asymptomatic carrier, and thus the chicken alongside the sick one may be a carrier. I would not put him in with your flock either.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

If you decide to treat and accept that your birds will have a respiratory disease, look up Tylan and Denaguard on BYC.

I hope these posts help you.

 

[sonderah]

I appreciate the information for sure. But, can't they just be sick, & it not be a incurable disease sometimes?

 

[cafarmgirl]

Quote:
Basically, no. Chickens don't get simple colds like people do, they get respiratory diseases. Once you get it in your flock it's an ongoing issue as it will crop up every now and then. Birds often survive the illness but they do remain carriers with the potential to infect the rest of your flock or any new birds you get. I wouldn't waste time with the VetRx, it won't treat or prevent anything in your existing flock. It's similar to humans using Vick's when they have a cold, it may help thin mucus and open airways but that's about it. Very sick birds, if you want to treat, need an antibiotic to prevent pneumonia and secondary bacterial infections. It won't cure the disease but it prevents the complications that usually kill them.

 

[sonderah]

So, I do appreciate everyone's information on this, and I am not downing anyone.

BUT.. For others reading this to learn about their own flock... I found a local avian veterinarian who said that chickens do get sick with colds. That without a blood test to confirm MG, it is unknown for sure of course. And that with just a runny nose and cough, some meds should help. The fact that she is not at all lethargic, has no swelling in her eyes, and does not seem at all labored at breathing is a good sign.

They r both being medicated and I will have her tested to be safe before I integrate either into the flock.

Again, thanks to all who responded. I just couldn't go chopping of heads without a Dr's opinion.

 

[cafarmgirl]

I guess it depends on the veterinarians opinion of what exactly a "cold" is. I have a very good, very experienced avian vet who would never state that a chicken will get a simple cold. Yes meds will help with the symptoms and yes testing may tell you what you are dealing with, though it's best to test before any meds are given. Further research on poultry respiratory diseases should turn up the info you need.