Small Flock - Likely Respiratory - Need Answers for AFTER

[sashanellie]

Hi everyone,
So, I am pretty sure I have some sort of respiratory infection thing in my 5 chicken, 2 guinea hen flock. Only the younger pullets, one just started laying, seem to have it. It's a crusty nose and some strange breathing sounds, shaking head (no lice or mites, I have checked), and stuffy noses with some discharge. The eyes seem slightly puffy and tired looking.

The girls are all active and friendly and eating and drinking. I am going to try the tylan for symptoms, but haven't gotten it yet.

My question is this - Let's say I keep this flock for eggs for a few years, and do not add to it so as not to spread the carrier thing.

**What precautions do I take after culling the whole flock in a few years, before starting a new flock? Do I have to burn the coop? Can I still ear the eggs for a few years after treating the symptoms and waiting the egg consumption time?

thanks in advance,
sasha

 

[sashanellie]

sorry, can I still "eat" the eggs, not "ear" them!

 

[Eggcessive]

They have a respiratory disease, possibly MG or coryza. I would get them tested to find out what I was dealing with, or cull them. Respiratory diseases are usually chronic, come back, the chickens are never cured and become carriers. The eggs are probably fine to eat, but sick chickens do not lay very well, and since they will probably be needing medications to help control their symptoms, you don't want to be eating eggs until a few weeks after stopping antibiotics.

 

[sashanellie]

Thanks, but I do not wish to cull them. They seem happy and healthy overall, and my children are attached to them. I am really looking for how to handle it after they are gone. thanks.