Smelly nose & thin shelled eggs !!

[Egbert]

Hello all! Any assistance would be greatly appreciated..

One of my two, maybe three, year old Reds, Gertrude, has been acting rather odd of late; visiting the nest box most days but only laying about once every two and then when she finally does it's soft shelled! This has been going on for around two weeks now so I'm a little worried, as you can imagine.

I thought it was maybe stress at first and would pass, as we've just had new additions to the fold which has stirred things up somewhat, and it started around then, but now, it's not only the eggs, I've noticed that she has a very stinky nose to boot! She's also been very vocal of late, but has always been a bit of a mardy chook and I think it's just her expressing her feelings toward the newbies (she hasn't taken a liking to them, for sure).. Lastly an occasional loud sneezing, well I think it's sneezing anyway, but this is very rarely, around when she's visiting the nest box, trying to lay, but sometimes late on in the night (I've a coop mic/cam).

I've had a calcium additive for the water and put oyster shells in the feed thinking it may be a deficiency but I'm thinking now it may not be but rather an ailment since spotting the smelly schnoz, and the fact the additives aren't working out for her..

None of the ails that I've come across seem to completely fit and I just plain don't know what to do so, as said, any help would be greatly appreciated. Gert and I thank you for reading, and if you need any other info please ask away and I'll try my best to oblige.

EGBERT & GERT.

 

[Judy]

I believe infectious coryza is the only chicken disease that causes that odor. Unfortunately, it was probably brought in by the hens that were added to the flock. If you choose to treat, understand that you should have a closed flock -- no birds or hatching eggs should leave your property, because it cannot be cured.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publi...ndbook/16/thinshelled-eggs-and-shellless-eggs

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/12751/urgent-reminder-please-quarantine-newly-acquired-birds/0_20

 

[Egbert]

Thank you for the response!
The new birds are vaccinated against though, could they still be carriers? I thought it probably wasn't that though as she hasn't the majority of the other symptoms.. It's not a "foul smelling, thick, sticky discharge", just the off smell, and sneezing and her breathing a little off too; sort of clicking as she goes.. I guess then probably, something respiratory but Coryza doesn't fit I don't think and it doesn't explain the egg issue...

 

[realsis]

you can treat with the antibiotic tylosin. aka tylan 50. dose is 1/4 cc for large birds 1/2 cc for small birds given once daily in the breast muscle.for 5 days. I had to treat my own birds with it recently.as they were sneezing and an occasional cough. no smell but still respiratory. tylan50 does a good job of stopping the symptoms. but if it is corzya tylan will cure the symptoms but the bird will still be a carrier. so if you decide to treat I'd use tylan50. best wishes

 

[dirtsaver]

+1

Please do not take any chances. If not for your own peace of mind,at least respect others and DO NOT sell,give away or otherwise let any chicks.eggs or grown chickens. This is serious stuff you are messing with and it would be criminal to spread it to someone elses flock! Keep a closed flock(and DO NOT visit any shows,swap meets or other chicken places) until you have your flock tested and a vet has cleared your flock. Again,THIS IS SERIOUS, we do not need any more diseases spread by people that think "my chicken just has a cold" it will be ok, or otherwise refuse to believe the seriousness of these diseases!

Sorry if I seem a bit harsh but after several years of reading hundreds of posts from people that got new birds and failed to properly quarrantine them for 30 days or more and then had their whole flock wiped out,it gets pretty darn upsetting!

 

[Egbert]

I appreciate this, I understand and appreciate the response but I've mixed them now, they keep apart for the most part, the new girls in the coop, the others outside, and the new girls aren't showing signs as of yet.. Should I separate them now even though they've already been introduced or just leave them as is?

Anyway, what I'm asking is; what is the problem with her? Does anyone actually know? ..So I can know how to treat her. Or does it not matter and is Tylan 50 a cover all respiratory cure-all? Thanks.

 

[Egbert]

& can vaccinated chooks still carry, can they?