Tetracycline vs. Tylan

Mixed Flawk

In the Brooder
Aug 3, 2025
8
41
36
Been dealing with respiratory issues for over a month partially due to not finding the right vet for chickens. At least one that just dives into books or Google.
I knew it wasn't the new coop built, but I still added a couple of exhaust fans, just in case. The 3 oldest aren't affected.

1st Vet: Tetracycline for 7 days. Did that, did help a few, but not completely. Others, not much help. So, waited a week tried again. Same thing. Next week, tried dewormer since a few were saying worms. Still, no response. Called vet, he says, keep them off for another week and see. At that point, I decided to hunt another vet down that might know more.

2nd vet. I took the 2 worst in, one older and one younger. And both from different coops. Checks one for discharge in nose, was no nasty blockage. I told him about the only 1 week thing and showed prescription. He felt like a week wasn't long enough. He checked a book and it says you can go 14 days if needed or longer. So he says to contact in a couple of weeks and if not better, go with Tylan.

So, my question is, what is the difference? Is one stronger? Should I keep them on the tetracycline for that long of a period? I just feel that these vets mean well, but just tell me you don't know much except for what a book says.

Tuesday is my day off, so I'm hooking up a vicks vaporizer in both coops to see if that helps.

I'm at a stale mate right now because my big rooster still hasn't crowed and I really think this is why. He fluffs his feathers and sticks his neck up and then nothing.

Quick edit: 1st Vet says it's alright to eat the eggs, 2nd vet ask what the 1st Vet said about eggs. I read, don't eat the eggs.

Thanks
 
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Just my opinion, but moisture is already a problem in many coops. I know your idea of a vaporizer sounds like a good one, but in that case, I'd just get some VetRX. That's the human equivalent to Vicks for chickens. People put a drop under each wing, on their skin, and then wipe a little near their nostrils.

So basically, they've all been dewormed now and have been on Tetracycline for 7 days?

That said, I would do what the vet said and try the Tylan in that case. I don't think one's stronger than the other, and both are broad spectrum, but when one doesn't work, I'd try the other. We aren't vets here, but I'd agree that it seems about the most logical thing to try.

Be sure to put them on probiotics for a couple of weeks once you're done. That can be fermented grain, Greek yogurt, or powdered probiotics for their water.
 
Just my opinion, but moisture is already a problem in many coops. I know your idea of a vaporizer sounds like a good one, but in that case, I'd just get some VetRX. That's the human equivalent to Vicks for chickens. People put a drop under each wing, on their skin, and then wipe a little near their nostrils.

So basically, they've all been dewormed now and have been on Tetracycline for 7 days?

That said, I would do what the vet said and try the Tylan in that case. I don't think one's stronger than the other, and both are broad spectrum, but when one doesn't work, I'd try the other. We aren't vets here, but I'd agree that it seems about the most logical thing to try.

Be sure to put them on probiotics for a couple of weeks once you're done. That can be fermented grain, Greek yogurt, or powdered probiotics for their water.
It's the vaporizer menthol one, not the humidifier one. No, moisture in coops, I'm already paranoid on leaks.
 

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