So I did a thing...

[tribalacres]

Hello,

I am having a few issues. We've had seven chickens in the past, left the coop open and lost four. I understand it was a rookie mistake. I have only been doing this farm life for six months and love it. However, the coop I built is huge and wanted more chickens. We googled and bought, probably another mistake, I'm learning as I go.

I read where you can introduce the flock overnight to the coop. Well, they are all coughing. Discharge from sneezing. We did drops in their water, my concern is it's not helped after three days. The former layers are only laying every other day. Which I was getting three a day.

Any help is great, I realize my mistakes now but just need help with treatments.

 

[Eggcessive]

As you may now know, most respiratory diseases are chronic, and remain in the flock for the life of those birds, until the last one is gone. After waiting several weeks, it would be possible to start over with new baby chicks from a hatchery or feed store.

If you choose to treat them, try to find out what disease they have, and you can ask your state vet how to get tested. Infectious bronchitis, mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG,) coryza, ILT, and aspergillosis are some of the common ones. Close your flock to birds going out or coming in to your flock. Antibiotics may help treat MG or coryza, but not infectious bronchitis, ILT, or aspergillosis. Most antibiotics have to come from a vet, unless you can find the right one online. Tylan (tylosin,) oxytetracycline, doxycycline, are some that might help MG.
Coryza is treated with sulfa antibiotics. Here is a good link about common diseases including the respiratory ones:
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PS044
This list below has contact numbers for most state vets to contact about testing, or to get a necropsy which would be a good way to get a diagnosis:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

 

[tribalacres]

Okay, so what do I need to do about the chicks and ducks in the brooders? Or are they already exposed? Is there a way to determine what they have other than a vet, I know that's a loaded question but there are 11 now. Sorry I new to this.

 

[Eggcessive]

If you can contact the state vet, some will come to you to test the chickens. Others may not. It depends on which state you live in on how easy testing is. Ask your local vet’s office if the state is not helpful. Where are you located? You can add that to your info under “about” here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/members/tribalacres.562376/A necropsy on a sacrified ill bird would also be a way to get tested. Some people will cull all birds, and start over. Some cull sick birds. Some close the flock and treat. But antibiotics are becoming hard to get wihtout vet care, even if you know the disease.

Do you see any birds with bubbles in an eye, swelling around an eye, nasal drainage or dirty nostrils? Most diseases will cause a decrease in laying.

 

[tribalacres]

No just sneezing and it’s all the new ones the older ones aren’t currently do I clear It all? If the chicks aren’t near them do I hve to do something with those. The chicks came from a hatchery.