What type of respiratory issue is this?

[katelk]

I have one rooster who I suspect of a respiratory issue. No one else seems to have any symptoms.

His symptoms: change in voice-his crow became quieter and more high-pitched and strained sounding ; I also listened for his breathing last night on the roost and at times he sounded like he had congestion- like a gurgling rattle - like when a human has a cold. Other than these two things he is acting normal. Still has energy and eating and drinking normal.

Length of symptoms: just this week. No longer than one week, maybe less.

Age/breed: a little over 1 year old, Orpington. Hatched him myself so never been off my property.

Other: this week had some extreme weather. Lots of storms and was extremely hot and humid. It was so hot that even at night I would go check on the chickens and they would be panting and had wings out while on the roost. I kept a small fan on in the coop to try to keep the air circulating at least. The heat and humidity was so high this week there were weather advisories out. It cooled down to high 70s last night, which is when I checked his breathing. No one was panting last night.

What might this be and how should I treat it? My flock has 3 roos that live peacefully, but I cannot separate any of the boys and expect to be able to put them back together. So isolating the roo is not an option.
I am putting ACV in the water today. I know that is a bronchodilator. What else can/should I do?

 

[GitaBooks]

Sorry it took so long to respond.

How is he doing?

 

[katelk]

Sorry it took so long to respond.

How is he doing?

I checked on him tonight again because the weather has been cooler and less humid. He, for the most part, seemed normal, but I saw him do this thing where he was breathing mouth open, tongue out, and it sounded like gurgling. He also about twice made a wet coughing sound. He did all this at once because I got close to him and he was trying to scoot away from me. Once he settled down he sounded and acted normal. There is definitely something up with him. His crow does not sound quite as weak as it did a few days ago when the weather was extreme, but it is still not normal at all.

There is zero discharge from nose or eyes. No other birds have symptoms. What could this be? How should I treat him?

 

[GitaBooks]

Give him some vitamins to boost his immune system. Make sure it isn't gapeworm or fowl box causing a problem. If these are not the causes, then it could be allergies, respiratory infection, or simply inhaled dust.

 

[katelk]

Give him some vitamins to boost his immune system. Make sure it isn't gapeworm or fowl box causing a problem. If these are not the causes, then it could be allergies, respiratory infection, or simply inhaled dust.

How do I check for gape worm or fowl pox? I have researched gape worn and watched videos of chickens who have it- I do not believe that is what this is. Plus I just wormed them all with Valbazen at the beginning of spring.

What type of vitamins and how should I give them? I have never had anything like this happen. I have had chickens for less than 2 years. I am quickly learning how stressful keeping livestock can be!

 

[GitaBooks]

Yes, keeping livestock can be very stressful. I certainly agree.

I doubt ts gapeworms as well, but it could be fowl pox. Just open up his mouth and look inside for any odd lumps or bumps in there.

There are a number of good chicken vitamins and supplements, such as nutri-drench, rooster booster, and others. Just make sure they are labeled for chickens and not other livestock.

 

[katelk]

Yes, keeping livestock can be very stressful. I certainly agree.

I doubt ts gapeworms as well, but it could be fowl pox. Just open up his mouth and look inside for any odd lumps or bumps in there.

There are a number of good chicken vitamins and supplements, such as nutri-drench, rooster booster, and others. Just make sure they are labeled for chickens and not other livestock.

I will check for fowl pox tonight. I looked it up and that seems like a bad thing to have! My birds have had no vaccines. I did not know they needed any.

Is there anything else it could be? His crow has actually gotten a little stronger sounding. It is still not the powerful crow he had prior to last week. The humidity is down now and it sounds strained, but not alarming like it was. It's like his voice is getting better slowly, but I am still disturbed by the rattling/coughing/gurgling I saw from him in the roost last night.

 

[GitaBooks]

It could just be a respiratory infection.

 

[843Befuddled]

Try Tylan 50, 1cc dose. It should help with the infection.

 

[katelk]

It could just be a respiratory infection.

I just checked for fowl pox. The inside of his mouth and throat looks totally normal. No spots or anything at all. I put a bit of VetRx on his head and nose to try to help clear up the congestion. I know this just treats symptoms. Should I give any antibiotics? If so, should it be just for him or in the water for the whole flock?