Think I have a sick chicken...

[MattRoberts]

Evening everyone.

I have a year old Black Australorp hen that I think has some sort of cold???

She acts fine, eats and drinks as usual, but she sounds like she has a
"wet cough"....Kinda "mucousy"....

I'm not seeing any nasal discharge....But she just sound bad. I'd like to
get her medicated before she gets the whole flock sick.

Any suggestions on what it might be and what I could give her?

Thanks.

Matt Roberts

 

[chickengrl]

You need to isolate her from the rest of the flock for sure. These things are very contagious. Respiratory illness in chickens is very complicated. They do not get "colds" like we do and even if they survive will become carriers capable of infecting other birds and may always have problems and get sick again when stressed. Many folks will recommend you put the bird down and keep this stuff out f your flock. Others recommend medications like Tylan 50. The problem is that many of these are a virus and they will not be helped with antibiotics. Try searching in the search bar respiratory illness and read up on it as much as you can.

Did you get any new birds recently? Adding adult birds is one of the easiest ways to bring in a disease. Also, research biosecurity if you don,t know what that is yet. Good info. Good luck with your flock. This is one of the hardest things you may have to deal with and keeping chickens.

 

[MattRoberts]

tHANKS....i'LL CHECK OUT VARIOUS RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES IN CHICKENS,

 

[Uniontown Poultry]

If you have the ability & opportunity, you can take your chicken to the vet. I have avoided mass illness in my flock by isolating the sicky and taking him/her to the vet. I find it saves on antibiotic use b/c I don't have to treat everyone. The last one I took had bacterial pneumonia & she was gurgling like an old Mr. Coffee coffeemaker, even though she was running around like normal. The vet even ran a culture at the office visit to find out what bug it was and what would best cure my chicken, since not all antibiotics cure the same ills. Of course, many vets will look at you like you are crazy if you ask to bring in your chicken, and some will examine your chook but charge and arm and a leg. When you can get service, it varies vet to vet. When your chook's not able to go to the vet & you suspect a respiratory infection, I recommend bringing it inside where it is warm, give it a heat source to help it stay calm and conserve body energy and to help dry it out, also give water, and if it has a depressed appetite, a little fruit, melon, or tomato - whatever it eats. And of course, try and do your best internet-medical-research-diagnosis. BYC is a great source, as is the classroom at the Coop. Good luck to you and your sicky chicky!