Wheezing Birds

[jamieneenah]

HI,
I have Cornish & assorted reds together in a large brooder inside for meat birds. The oldest are about 25 days and the youngest are about 12-14 days. I add shavings / stir up the bedding 1-2 times per day. I use DE and make sure the bedding is dry. I refill the waterers about twice a day and clean them out 4-5 times per day. I refill the food about twice per day. The food is a mix of a commercial base and whole grains, mixed to about 24% protein (non-med feed). I remove the feed for about 12 hours at night. I added a vitamin / electrolyte mix to there drinking water. They all appear to eat and drink fine. A few of the oldest birds have spent a small amount of time outside.

The birds appear to be healthy, in general they are active, and I do not observe any nasal discharge, but it is possiable it is present is some birds and I have not been able to see it. Stools appear normal, some are loose. There have been a couple cornish birds that have seemed very slow, one could no longer use his leg, he was only 20 ounces, but otherwise appeared healthy. There is another cornish that seems reluctant to walk around, but again otherwise appears healthy.

To address my primary concern; Yesterday evening several (not sure how many) of the birds started wheezing. I have not been able to figure out which birds they are, as soon as they are active and walking around, it seems to stop. There is sneezing, but I was told this is normal.

The birds are from TSC. Now that I have heard wheezing, I was concerned this could be something that is going to rapidly spread throughout the flock. I have read enough to know that I should isolate, and I will, as soon as I can figure out who is wheezing. I am wondering if I should consider dosing everyone with something that a good strong broad spectrum like Tylan. I know it might not even be bacterial, but at least in humans, a fair amount of the time there is a bacterial component to respiratory illness.

Should I take a wait and see approach, while trying to isolate affected birds or should I get some tylan and dose them all?
Thanks
Jamie
Neenah

A couple photos if that helps:

 

[chicknmania]

Could be a lot of things. I would contact TSC first, and let them know what's going on. They may be able to give you some information, especially since the birds came from there. If they are in a pen the bedding may be too dusty. I wouldn't give them any antibiotic til you have more information.

 

[NotTheMomma]

I'd put them outside where they can get fresh air, and more area to move about in. They need lots of clean, fresh water. There is also the possibility of an ammonia build up that is causing the wheezing.

If at all possible, get them outside, and see if they don't improve.

edited because I reread the post, and found my own answer. Oops!

 

[sammi]

protein level might be too high, causing the leg problems..could be gaining weight too fast.
not sure if chicks this age should be getting whole grains.
cut back some on the amount of vitamin/electrolyte mix you're using in the drinking water..

what form of DE are you using?
is it food grade?
be very diligent about changing the bedding..they eat a lot, and "go" alot..LOL

could be dust from bedding or feed, or ammonia fumes..
keep watch, but have the Tylan on hand.
Cornish are vulnerable to cocci..best to have some Sulmet or Corid on hand also.

others here might have more experience with meat birds..

 

[jamieneenah]

Quote:
Thanks for the responses. Yes, it is a feed grade DE. I do stay on top of the bedding. I do not smell any ammonia smell at all. I've used around 20 bags of bedding in just over 3 weeks.

I am not sure if I mentioned, but I feed grit free choice, and I have some mixed in with the grains also. Do you think I need to cut back on the whole grains for any reason?

Jamie