Snotty, raspy chickens

[christie22701]

I am offering the tetracycline water all day. I got a plastic syringe and about every other day I have been force feeding the mixture to be sure they are getting a little extra boost. They don't much care for it but I would rather them get the extra boost and it Alison gives me a chance to clean their nares and smell them to see how bad the infection smells. I think I've decided that if they aren't better in two weeks I'm will put them down. I hope I don't have to do that. It makes me very sad. Live and learn I guess.

 

[Sclark73]

You should see signs of improvement within 5 days on tetracycline. And you should only mix as much as they drink in a 24hr period as after that it goes bad.

 

[christie22701]

You've

If your chicken has infectious bronchitis, all the other chickens probably have been exposed because it travels through air as well as on shoes, hands, and utensils.  I don't want to downplay this disease, but it usually isn't that serious to most flocks of adult chickens.  It is  a virus, and usually lasts about 30 days with sneezing and nasal drainage being the usual symptoms.  Most times it doesn't need an antibiotic.  Your egg production may fall for a time, then may recover.  Some birds can be carriers for up to a year, so don't raise any chicks or get new birds for a year, and you should be fine.

You've given me a glimmer of hope. I've been so depressed over my sick chickens. They look so miserable. I'm having to wipe and clean their little nares. I have 12 birds and not that I'm keeping the eggs right now because of the antibiotic but I only got two eggs today. They have been on the antibiotic 6 days now. I don't want to have to put them down. I love them.

 

[christie22701]

I think I am going to cull this bird. I have a flock of over 20 birds and the only way I get the money to keep them is by selling eggs so I can't risk infecting the whole flock. It's such a shame as it seems healthy in all other respects, but I can't risk it.

So, Jim, what did you end up doing??

 

[christie22701]

You should see signs of improvement within 5 days on tetracycline. And you should only mix as much as they drink in a 24hr period as after that it goes bad.

I'm making a 1 gallon batch in the morning and a fresh batch when I get home from work at 5. Before they go to roost I do offer them clean fresh water without anything in it just to make sure they are getting enough. Today is day 6. We have even given them boosts of the medicated water with a syringe twice this week. They seem no better.

 

[Eggcessive]

You've
You've given me a glimmer of hope. I've been so depressed over my sick chickens. They look so miserable. I'm having to wipe and clean their little nares. I have 12 birds and not that I'm keeping the eggs right now because of the antibiotic but I only got two eggs today. They have been on the antibiotic 6 days now. I don't want to have to put them down. I love them.

How old are your chickens? It is hard to culture IB after the first few days of infection, but you could always try so that you know what you are dealing with. Here is a link to get numbers for your state vet who does necropsies. I'm suggesting that you contact them to find out how you could get your birds testedor answer any questions you have. IB is not a death sentence in grown chickens. That is the mildest reaspiratory disease and they aren't carriers for life. Here is the link: http://agr.wa.gov/FoodAnimal/AnimalHealth/statevets.aspx

 

[christie22701]

I emailed that website and asked them what the process for bringing a bird for necropsy. I will ask them about doing a culture swab. That, too, is a good idea! Thanks!! I'm driving myself deeper and deeper into a rut here just worrying myself to death.

 

[christie22701]

Oh, sorry, they are about 10 months old and they've been sick for about a week and a half.

 

[christie22701]

Their nares still smell pretty bad and are runny. They seem to sleep more than normal and sneeze more too. I'm thinking they aren't liking the Oxytetracycline water and I'm afraid that they aren't drinking it. But I hear that if chickens don't drink...they die...plain and simple...so I guess they are drinking some of it...I hope.

 

[Eggcessive]

If you are smelling a bad odor around their head, they probably have infectious coryza. Do they have any eye bubbles, eye drainage or swelling of the face? Usually there is more to coryza than sneezing and runny nose. Your antibiotic should treat it, but this is a disease that they will be carriers for. I am glad you might get them tested.