What's going on with all this ILLNESS?

[Renee]

Thanks, gumpsgirl.
I called the county ag commisioner's office today and they thought I was nuts. They didn't know what the word "necropsy" meant and they don't do chickens. Perhaps it was just the receptionist, but still, we are a pretty urban county...

Sammi and Les have suspicions it is botulism, and dlunicorn says the best thing might be to just keep her hydrated and keep fingers crossed.

I'll see if I can find any 4-H people before I go to work today. Thanks.
Renee

 

[Guinea Goonie]

We have had a disease that makes the nostrils flow with a very thick, yellow mucos. My favorite wild rooster got put in a cage and he just stood there with his head down. Much drainage from the nostril and the mucos was stringy and yellow.

I have put lincomycin-spectinomycin in the general population waterer. Many of the less affected chickens are now out eating as if nothing happened.

If anyone know anything about this it sure would be nice to hear from you.

thanks in advance

 

[kinnip]

This is why I'm closing the flock. I may take in a few more Marans from a trusted source, but after that, it's my eggs and an incubator. I've also invested a considerable amount of cash in vet books and magazines. GA is the nation's leading producer of meat birds. No one here is willing to treat a chicken. If it's sick, cull it. Moreover, I don't want to be on the agribiz radar as a lose cannon, backyard chicken breeder with disease problems.

 

[Beekissed]

No illness in my flock. I, too, have noticed all the "bubbly eyes" posts on here and always wonder why I've escaped this seeming epidemic. Just luck? Weather? Feed? Housing conditions?

Makes one wonder if one is doing something right or merely just lucky. I do use ACV on occasion in their water for the added Vit. C...its an amazing immune system booster and works well for bacterial, viral and fungal infections(in the human world). I also free range and do not use medication of any kind. Maybe the medicated feeds and vaccines work against one's immune system in the same way that overuse of antibiotics works for humans?

I wonder if we all would focus on immune system health as a preventative instead of potential cures, if this would produce better results. I agree with the culling of weaker, or sick, chickens and I would do this immediately if I had one.

 

[chicknmania]

Knock on wood, we have been ok, but from past experience I can tell you that it is not too uncommon to have illness in your flock in the spring and fall. There are a lot of migrating birds during those times and they carry stuff. I always kind of attributed it to that. As far as the necropsy, you can always ship the bird elsewhere...Peter Brown at www.firststatevetsupply.com can have them done for you, or, you can also look for an exotics or avian vet in your area and ask them for help with a necropsy. It's a good thing to do, if you are having a lot of problems.

 

[chicknmania]

Also, for those who don't know...Peter Brown is also available for veterinary advice, though not a vet he is an expert and an excellent resource. He does travel a lot so you have to be patient. He also has his own forum at www.featherfanciers.com.

 

[Farm Chic]

I know chickens are different than humans, but just like with your kids, your not just going to assume he has a cold unless you are certain that it is a cold. And if it is a cold you may not be so quick to give them medicine because it can't be cured by medicine. The main thing is to keep them hydrated and rested.

I know with chickens it is really hard and I haven't had a sick chicken....I hope not ever! But before you buy atibiotics or vitamins or whatever else, observe your chicken. Check for symptoms, try to find differences in their behavior, watch what they do after sneezing, notate as much as you can about the sick chicken. As someone said earlier, no vet means you need to do research and the best way to answer your questions is to know as much as you can about the thing your reseraching!!

 

[Mrs MIA]

The only thing I've had to deal with is Cocci... but that's because we have had an EXTREMELY wet cool summer. (knock on wood) I haven't noticed any other illnesses.