Swollen face

[KranK]

Hey 2 of my hens faces are swollen. Not like due to respiratory disease. Any clues?

 

[MysteryChicken]

Have they been scratching their faces alot recently?

 

[KranK]

Have they been scratching their faces alot recently?

I don't think so. One of them tends to run away from me and i think that she stays away from chickens sometimes but she isn't lethargic. They've been swollen for about a month

 

[MysteryChicken]

I don't think so. One of them tends to run away from me and i think that she stays away from chickens sometimes but she isn't lethargic. They've been swollen for about a month

So no scratching?

Have they been sneezing, coughing, or have watery, or bubbly eyes?

 

[KranK]

So no scratching?

Have they been sneezing, coughing, or have watery, or bubbly eyes?

Other hen is sneezing but she isn't swollen . Another one was sneezing and had bubbly eyes but now she's fine

 

[Myrshine]

I’d say it’s an upper respiratory infection. Most common infectious diseases to cause respiratory infection symptoms are Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (MG or also known as Chronic Respiratory Disease), Coryza, Infectious Bronchitis (IBV) or even Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILV). Unfortunately though, unlike us humans, antibiotics will never cure the affected or exposed birds. Any birds that survive are carriers of the disease for life and will spread it to other birds. Surviving hens of these diseases can spread the disease through eggs to chicks. You must maintain a closed flock. No birds out, no new birds in. Do not sell nor give away eggs to be hatched. Your other option is to cull your flock, disinfect everything. The disease will shed within times of stress and can infect other birds. It’ll resurface within times of stress. Here’s more information about respiratory diseases in chickens: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

 

[KranK]

I’d say it’s an upper respiratory infection. Most common infectious diseases to cause respiratory infection symptoms are Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (MG or also known as Chronic Respiratory Disease), Coryza, Infectious Bronchitis (IBV) or even Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILV). Unfortunately though, unlike us humans, antibiotics will never cure the affected or exposed birds. Any birds that survive are carriers of the disease for life and will spread it to other birds. Surviving hens of these diseases can spread the disease through eggs to chicks. You must maintain a closed flock. No birds out, no new birds in. Do not sell nor give away eggs to be hatched. Your other option is to cull your flock, disinfect everything. The disease will shed within times of stress and can infect other birds. It’ll resurface within times of stress. Here’s more information about respiratory diseases in chickens: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

so u say that whole flock can get ill? But there are no other symptoms in these 2 except swell on face

 

[Eggcessive]

so u say that whole flock can get ill? But there are no other symptoms in these 2 except swell on face

Most respiratory diseases are spread by carriers. Many of your chickens may never get symptoms, but they probably would all eventually test positive for whatever disease. The symptoms fit with mycoplasma gallisepticum or MG. Other diseases are infectious bronchitis, infectious coryza, I.L.T., and a few others. Some are viruses, while others are cause by bacteria or mycoplasma, a bacteria like organism. Here is some information about MG and symtoms:
https://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/_docs/programs/poultry/FS-1008 Recognizing and Preventing Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) Infecti....pdf

http://extension.msstate.edu/publications/mycoplasma-gallisepticum-backyard-flocks

 

[KranK]

So even if the swell dissapears they'll always be carriers and the possibility is that other hens too? What should i do?

 

[KranK]

And second question - can they die from it? Is the MG death rate high?