Update on Sick Chicken: Advice, Please!

[GardeningGrl]

Earlier this week, I posted about our sick hen (coughing, wheezing, sneezing).

I isolated her. Gave fresh food, water and some yogurt with honey in it. The sneezing has stopped and the wheezing has almost abated.

My question: if it went away this easily, is it safe to return her to the flock in 10 - 15 days without any symptoms, or are we safer to cull at this point in case she's now carrying something?

Thanks for your advice and input!

 

[groundpecker]

Depending on what disease the bird has, it will be a carrier for life. Although the symptoms are gone, she is still infected with a disease.
If she was in the same pen as the other birds, when you discovered the symptoms, the other birds have probably caught the disease too.
If it is mg/ms the birds can live with it, just do not sell, trade, or give away any birds from your flock.

 

[GardeningGrl]

Even if the other birds have had no visible symptoms?

We've had her isolated since the first symptoms arose, and everyone else is perfectly fine.

Will these birds be able to reproduce offspring that are healthy? This past year, before the illness, we gave away eggs and hatched chicks of our own that are thriving (separate from the adult flock). Are the hens' eggs still safe?

 

[groundpecker]

Depending on the disease, hatch rate may be effected and the disease can be passed from parent to the eggs. I would say the eggs are safe to eat if cooked properly.
the only sure way to know what disease the hen has is to take it to a bird vet and have it tested.

After a few years the flock may develop an immunity from certain diseases.

Search the disease/ emergency thread here on byc for more information.

 

[GardeningGrl]

We culled our sick bird this morning. Will keep an eye on all of the others. /