Spreading Respiratory Disease & Coop Cleaning

[762]

I have had to put two chickens down last weekend due to severe wheezing. Got another one wheezing today.

We only have about a dozen chickens and a big 12x12 coop. Lots of roosting space. They spend almost zero time in the coop except to roost at night and when the hens go in to lay in their boxes. We have about 10” of hemp litter, but the deep litter method really doesn’t work since they don’t rummage through their bedding. We just scoop the poop off the top once per week and use the hard rake to mix it around after.

Anyway, the idea of throwing out all of that bedding and sanitizing the coop is crazy, but I guess I have no choice? But my thought is, what if I do all of this, but there are more that are already sick and not presenting? Won’t it just continue to spread regardless?

 

[coach723]

It depends on what it actually is. If you have another with symptoms then options are vet care with testing to identify the cause, whether it's viral, bacterial or fungal, or a necropsy on a sick bird or one you lose, to get the testing done that way. There are several virus's that can cause respiratory illness, some are chronic and can't be cured and the birds are carriers. Symptoms can come and go and recur during times of stress. Most are very contagious. The usual treatment for many of the respiratory illnesses are Tylan or Tylosin, you can get Tylosin from pigeon suppliers, one source here:
https://jedds.com/products/tylosin-powder?_pos=1&_sid=bc55d4fb4&_ss=r
With any respiratory disease, it's really helpful to know which one you are dealing with in order to make the best decisions.
Necropsy resources here:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

 

[Eggcessive]

What have all of the symptoms been in the sick birds you have lost? We’re there eye bubbles or foam, swelling around an eye or the face, thin or thick nasal secretions, sneezing or coughing often, lethargy, gasping, in addition to the wheezing? Testing a bird that has died is important to identify the organism. Sorry for your loss.

 

[762]

It depends on what it actually is. If you have another with symptoms then options are vet care with testing to identify the cause, whether it's viral, bacterial or fungal, or a necropys on a sick bird or one you lose, to get the testing done that way. There are several virus's that can cause respiratory illness, some are chronic and can't be cured and the birds are carriers. Symptoms can come and go and recur during times of stress. Most are very contagious. The usual treatment for many of the respiratory illnesses are Tylan or Tylosin, you can get Tylosin from pigeon suppliers, one source here:
https://jedds.com/products/tylosin-powder?_pos=1&_sid=bc55d4fb4&_ss=r
With any respiratory disease, it's really helpful to know which one you are dealing with in order to make the best decisions.
Necropsy resources here:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

So we likely have Marek’s in the flock. Had some die early 2023 with much different symptoms than this, but I know Marek’s can run the gamut (even the once that died before had varying symptoms from one another). Had two necropsies done and both came back as avian leukosis likely caused by Marek’s (Marek’s can’t officially be diagnosed without an expensive PCR test).

Whatever this is, the onset is super fast. My daughter was just out yesterday and didn’t hear anyone in the flock wheezing. This morning she found this hen wheezing so she took her into the garage. When I got there an hour later I had to put her down right away as she was gasping for air. Horrible.

I just shot her head off with a shotgun. Cervical dislocation would have been better (I have done that several times with no problem), and better for a necropsy for sure, but l the first one I put down last weekend was an old rooster and the cervical dislocation DID NOT WORK. It was HORRIBLE. I pulled a snapped back the way I always have, and it would not dislocate. I’m a big guy and started to pull as hard as I could and just wouldn’t pop off. I mean he died, but I it was not clean at all. So now I’m not at all able to do that to those sweet hens. I’m sure that was just a one-off and it would be fine but it’s too soon to shake that experience.

Sorry that was a long rabbit trail.

 

[762]

What have all of the symptoms been in the sick birds you have lost? We’re there eye bubbles or foam, swelling around an eye or the face, thin or thick nasal secretions, sneezing or coughing often, lethargy, gasping, in addition to the wheezing? Testing a bird that has died is important to identify the organism. Sorry for your loss.

Sudden onset. Wheezing that leads to gasping. One of the hens last weekend had an eye shut.

Can I still get a necropsy if I’ve shot it in the head? It’s the weekend so I’ll have to keep the bird on ice I guess.

 

[Eggcessive]

You could check with your state vet lab to find out if they can still do a necropsy. It may be better to wait in case you lose another bird. A disease such as leukosis or Mareks can reduce immunity to other infectious diseases. RAL will do PCR testing for various diseases, including Mareks.
https://www.vetdna.com/application/forms/aviansubmittalform.pdf
Zoologix will do PCR testing for 8 respiratory diseases:
https://www.zoologix.com/avian/Datasheets/PoultryRespiratoryPanel.htm

 

[coach723]

I'm sorry about your experience with your roo. They do have larger, stronger necks, and I've heard similar stories.
I do all of mine this way, goof proof, roo's are no more trouble than hens. I have a dedicated pair of loppers that are kept clean and sharp and only used for this:
https://www.muranochickenfarm.com/2017/06/the-easiest-way-to-cull-chicken.html
Marek's could be the underlying reason for all of them, it does really weaken their immune systems and leave them vulnerable to all sorts of things. It would still be a good idea to get confirmation and see if you have another virus also going through them.
I'm so sorry.

 

[762]

You could check with your state vet lab to find out if they can still do a necropsy. It may be better to wait in case you lose another bird. A disease such as leukosis or Mareks can reduce immunity to other infectious diseases. RAL will do PCR testing for various diseases, including Mareks.
https://www.vetdna.com/application/forms/aviansubmittalform.pdf
Zoologix will do PCR testing for 8 respiratory diseases:
https://www.zoologix.com/avian/Datasheets/PoultryRespiratoryPanel.htm

What would you do right now, if you were me?

 

[coach723]

I would either pursue a necropsy, on this bird or another with respiratory symptoms, or I would find a good avian vet to do testing on a live, symptomatic bird. In some states the necropsy is more affordable than what can be a fairly large vet bill sometimes, and often provides a more complete picture. If it's not an avian vet then often they really don't know what to look for, test for, and may do unneeded things, or miss things they should. I'm not bad mouthing, it's just a fact based on many experiences, my own and others. Non-avian vets just don't always have enough knowledge of birds specifically. There are exceptions, and there are some very good and knowledgeable vets out there, but many don't have access to one. The testing that was linked above you can gather and mail in, if you contact them they will explain and/or send you what's needed.

 

[762]

I'm sorry about your experience with your roo. They do have larger, stronger necks, and I've heard similar stories.
I do all of mine this way, goof proof, roo's are no more trouble than hens. I have a dedicated pair of loppers that are kept clean and sharp and only used for this:
https://www.muranochickenfarm.com/2017/06/the-easiest-way-to-cull-chicken.html
Marek's could be the underlying reason for all of them, it does really weaken their immune systems and leave them vulnerable to all sorts of things. It would still be a good idea to get confirmation and see if you have another virus also going through them.
I'm so sorry.

I think for me if I have a suffering bird, I don’t want them to suffer any fear at my hand, including the process of putting them upside down into a cone. I do slaughter birds in cones for meat but that is different. The cervical dislocation is immediate and they have no idea, same thing with a gun. Anyway wouldn’t decapitation be undesirable for a necropsy?