Sickness moving through flock...

[Jandsloch]

I agree with getting tested, so contact your state vet to learn how. There are commercial labs such as Zoologix, that will test, but it may be less expensive locally. It sounds like infectious bronchits which is a virus that would not respond to antibiotics, but testing would be the only way to know if that is what you are seeing. Infectious bronchitis makes the whole flock carriers for up to a year, while others may make them carriers for life, including ones who do not appear sick.This is a good link that gives symptoms of common diseases:
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044
Here is a list of state vets:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

Went through all the symptoms and diseases and still have. O clue as none of the symptoms are just sneezing and wheezing without the nose, sinus, eye, or swelling face

 

[Folly's place]

In so many ways, sick chickens look like sick chickens. The birds won't tell you what's wrong, and neither can we here. It takes testing to figure this out, and then have a useful plan.
Mary

 

[Cyprus]

Hi
I'm going to be Debbie Downer. Sorry...ish.
I sympathize for you, I really do. But do understand that standard protocol for infectious respiratory diseases is to cull the whole flock and, depending on the pathogen, to register the outbreak with the USDA. If you go to vet and they identify a pathogen that is required to report it then the vet will contact the state veterinarian who will then report it to the USDA and whatever protocol is in place to deal with that will be utilized. Very rarely does it come down to this, but it is a risk you'll have to be willing to take if you get testing done.
Second, IF it were a bacteria and the antibiotics you were using were effective then it could interfere with a positive diagnosis. I doubt this will happen, since the treated birds didn't recover and the signs all point to a virus making its way through each bird.

If you wish to seek them out, there are some antiviral medications available for poultry. But I don't think you should treat for what you don't know you have.

Get the diagnosis then treat appropriately.

 

[Jandsloch]

Hi
I'm going to be Debbie Downer. Sorry...ish.
I sympathize for you, I really do. But do understand that standard protocol for infectious respiratory diseases is to cull the whole flock and, depending on the pathogen, to register the outbreak with the USDA. If you go to vet and they identify a pathogen that is required to report it then the vet will contact the state veterinarian who will then report it to the USDA and whatever protocol is in place to deal with that will be utilized. Very rarely does it come down to this, but it is a risk you'll have to be willing to take if you get testing done.
Second, IF it were a bacteria and the antibiotics you were using were effective then it could interfere with a positive diagnosis. I doubt this will happen, since the treated birds didn't recover and the signs all point to a virus making its way through each bird.

If you wish to seek them out, there are some antiviral medications available for poultry. But I don't think you should treat for what you don't know you have.

Get the diagnosis then treat appropriately.

I am fully aware of the protocols which is y I’m having a bird tested. The only one who died died unable to breathe and this was before antibiotics. I’m treating the whole flock as per my “chicken lady.” I just was curious as to thoughts of what experiences from others as to just what I should do. Is it worth trying to quarantine? Is it worth waiting till next week when I can get a bird in to be tested? Or should I cut my losses with all including those not showing symptoms. No your not a Debbie downer....all of this I’m aware of. I knew when I got my first batch of chickies I would some day have to deal with losses. It’s a fact of life. Currently the ones who are sick are not struggling to breathe. Just sneezing and “coughing.” The roo was raspy breathing I could hear fluid Sunday morning ( not quite 24hrs into the antibiotics) but by afternoon and now still not hearing fluid from him. No one is lethargic. Everyone is eating and drinking. I know no one can properly diagnose without testing. But I just had some general questions. Like should I cut my losses and start fresh next year. If so does this include everyone...chicks...new 2mo. Old or just those that are sneezing. Should I still quarantine as currently 6 under quarantine I’m out of quarantine spaces to safely house without being open to predators. Plus not to mention those that started sneezing this morning were roosting with everyone last night as yesterday no sneezes. I’m getting a general idea from others perhaps what they have done or think I should do at this point. Just open for suggestions not a diagnosis.

 

[Jandsloch]

In so many ways, sick chickens look like sick chickens. The birds won't tell you what's wrong, and neither can we here. It takes testing to figure this out, and then have a useful plan.
Mary

Sorry if it came across I was looking for a diagnosis. I’m not. Someone had posted a link with illnesses and symptoms and I commented on that. Vet can’t see a bird till next week and only one has passed. Before antibiotics and my hubby took care of her before I came home. I plan on necropsy if one passes prior to next week. I’m just looking for general advice on current situation. questions...general “what would you do” questions.

 

[Folly's place]

If you have MG, culling all your birds would be necessary to eliminate the disease. If it's something more manageable, much better!
Mary

 

[Cyprus]

I am fully aware of the protocols which is y I’m having a bird tested. The only one who died died unable to breathe and this was before antibiotics. I’m treating the whole flock as per my “chicken lady.” I just was curious as to thoughts of what experiences from others as to just what I should do. Is it worth trying to quarantine? Is it worth waiting till next week when I can get a bird in to be tested? Or should I cut my losses with all including those not showing symptoms. No your not a Debbie downer....all of this I’m aware of. I knew when I got my first batch of chickies I would some day have to deal with losses. It’s a fact of life. Currently the ones who are sick are not struggling to breathe. Just sneezing and “coughing.” The roo was raspy breathing I could hear fluid Sunday morning ( not quite 24hrs into the antibiotics) but by afternoon and now still not hearing fluid from him. No one is lethargic. Everyone is eating and drinking. I know no one can properly diagnose without testing. But I just had some general questions. Like should I cut my losses and start fresh next year. If so does this include everyone...chicks...new 2mo. Old or just those that are sneezing. Should I still quarantine as currently 6 under quarantine I’m out of quarantine spaces to safely house without being open to predators. Plus not to mention those that started sneezing this morning were roosting with everyone last night as yesterday no sneezes. I’m getting a general idea from others perhaps what they have done or think I should do at this point. Just open for suggestions not a diagnosis.

Cold hard honesty here. Culling everyone is the most responsible thing to do.

 

[Jandsloch]

Cold hard honesty here. Culling everyone is the most responsible thing to do.

This is what I pondered. And then I think no one is in distress.and in the back of my mind will be “did I do the right thing” or “were they really that sick.” So my Next thought is...perhaps the antibiotics are working since none of these other sick birds are in distress. Eating, drinking, and laying just fine. None struggling to breathe at this time. Do I wait the full week of antibiotics and go from there. Do I just wait for vet testing to be done. My brain goes miles a minute on all the what if’s and the questions. Sorry for that. When it’s something I care about my brain goes through every possibility situation etc. and I can’t get it to shut off. I also am adding...the breeder I got new 2.5mo old from has had no issues illnesses in her flock. They were just tested for numerous illnesses for carriers etc. we had a nice conversation this afternoon. And as of right now none of the fair birds are ill. It seems it is just my flock.

 

[Jandsloch]

So my thoughts on game plan. Finish the week of antibiotics. Keep vet apt Tuesday (sooner if cancellation) for bloodwork...go from there. As far as culling entire flock or just the sick will depend on bloodwork testing. If one starts to be in distress I will cull. Do necropsy if before Tuesday. I have an AG office local for that. As for continuation of quarantine it’s up in the air.

 

[Cyprus]

This is what I pondered. And then I think no one is in distress.and in the back of my mind will be “did I do the right thing” or “were they really that sick.” So my Next thought is...perhaps the antibiotics are working since none of these other sick birds are in distress. Eating, drinking, and laying just fine. None struggling to breathe at this time. Do I wait the full week of antibiotics and go from there. Do I just wait for vet testing to be done. My brain goes miles a minute on all the what if’s and the questions. Sorry for that. When it’s something I care about my brain goes through every possibility situation etc. and I can’t get it to shut off. I also am adding...the breeder I got new 2.5mo old from has had no issues illnesses in her flock. They were just tested for numerous illnesses for carriers etc. we had a nice conversation this afternoon. And as of right now none of the fair birds are ill. It seems it is just my flock.

I'll tell you what we did when we had a bird get sick with a virus. We sent the body in for testing and waited to get results back. The family decided that if it was a contagious disease that we would cull all.
Thankfully, that didn't happen. But I suggest test and wait for results. Go from there.