Sneezing/ Coughing

[Eggcessive]

Why not just keep them all together then, including Odin? They have probably all been exposed already. In my case, since I raised more chicks the next spring, after they all were together and well, I would get an occasional sneezer for the next year. No deaths, and no more chicks after that until after a year. IB is the most common respiratory disease, and has the least symptoms.

 

[apryl29]

I tried putting Odin back in with the others this evening but they're still pecking at him. Something happens in August and he was bleeding from his tail feathers. That's when I originally separated him. I have tried putting them back together several times but two of my females will not leave his tail alone. They don't peck at anyone else, or anywhere but his tail. I'm hoping to have a better house for him by Wednesday. I just kept hoping they'd eventually leave him alone.

 

[Eggcessive]

Do you have a dog crate that will fit in the coop? If he is in there with food and water where he can see them, hopefully he will feel more comfortable without the tail pecking.

 

[apryl29]

I have an Xpen, but it doesn't have a top. I might be able to rig something w/ some wood though and then he'd have access to the smaller run. That is an amazing idea! Thank you so much! That will make my life so much easier. I may still need to build the smaller house for him, but this way I'll be able to get him inside faster. And it'll be amazing if it get them to stop pecking at him.

I fed them all some egg/yogurt/mash tonight. They loved it. I also gave them some peas for extra protein and continued the vitamins in their water. There was less sneezing today, so I'm really hoping they're working through whatever it is. It's kind of funny how excited they get about their food when it's the exact same thing they always eat, mixed with water.

 

[Eggcessive]

I hope the crate helps. Not sure why they are pecking his tail feathers unless it is because he is sick or what. Sometimes people use Nustock cream to help prevent pecking-- it is a sulfur and pine oil mixture that is bad tasting, is antibacterial and antifungal, and can help heal raw spots.

 

[apryl29]

I'll have to look for some. I originally put blu kote on it and it healed up, but they still won't leave it alone. He does have a little bald spot back there now and while his feathers are growing back it's not as full as it was before the initial incident. I thought maybe they were bothering him b/c of the blu kote was drawing attention to the area, but he's molted a little recently and except for the blue that got on the tips of his wings, the blue/purple is pretty much gone. And they aren't pecking at his wings. That might just be the thing to get them to leave it alone. Thanks again!!

 

[apryl29]

I didn't notice anyone sneezing/ coughing last night when I was with them for several hours, but my daughter said she heard my bantam sneeze. I was able to put up the x-pen and make a space for Odin inside the coop. It was late and dark out so he didn't venture out side, but he didn't seem to hate it too much in his new space. I may move his perch back farther away from the door, this was a rush job, trying to get him inside as a cold front came in last night and our 90°+ highs are now down do to 65°. I'll see how they're doing w/ the arrangement later this morning. Thank you sooooo much for the idea about the pen. It's saved me so much work. I really hope by him being there, but not accessible the others will stop pecking at him. I still need to get the Nustock, it doesn't seem to be available nearby.

 

[Eggcessive]

They sell Nustock for $12 on Amazon Prime with no shipping. You can also make a similar cream with sulfur powder (from garden centers,) pine oil essential oil, and some vaseline.

 

[apryl29]

Thanks! I'll check it out tonight. I stopped to check on them on the way to the eye dr and everyone seemed to be doing great.