Wheezing rattling chicken

[Georgia Nana]

I just had a chicken shipped in from up north and she was 2 days in transit. When I got her home and took her out of her carrier, she was rattling and had a nasal discharge. I immediately started supportative measures, and started her on Tylan50 by mouth (she had her second dose today). She feels lousy, but is still up and eating and drinking some.
I know for a fact that the farm she came from has no respiratory issues, and my flock does not, either.
Is it possible that she became sick from the stress of the trip along with the extremes in temperature during her trip?
I guess what I am asking is that is this something that when (if) she pulls through, will be over and done with, or will she always be a carrier of whatever respiratory ailment this is. Input is appreciated

 

[Eggcessive]

I would keep her isolated in quarantine for at least 30-45 days to see how she is acting. Some people recommend using one of their chickens to be put in with a new chicken for 30 additional days to see if the old chicken gets any disease symptoms from the new chicken. I have no experience in shipping chickens to know if this happens very often. You could also get the new chicken tested for MG/IB/coryza by your vet or local NPIP representative, but I'm not sure if the antibiotics would affect the testing as it does in human cultures. Tylan 50 is best given as a shot. Here is a link for the common diseases and symptoms: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

 

[Georgia Nana]

I guess my question is this: Is it possible for her to have these symptoms and Not have one of these dreaded diseases/viruses? Is it possible for her to just recover from whatever it is and Not be a carrier and have all her eggs unhatchable? She was bought as a breeder. We have no avian vet or NPIP certified person here, so us chicken breeders (or wanna be breeders as in my case) are left to online resources for solutions to problems.

 

[Eggcessive]

This is something you would need to discuss with the breeder. Find out their NPIP number if they have it, and when their last inspection was. I bought a group of rare chickens once when I was new to chickens, and an NPIP breeder sold me 5 chickens and a rooster, but at the last minute she said 1 chicken had been missing from her yard, and just showed back up the day before looking a little dirty. Her NPIP tester was coming later that day to test everyone. After I brought that chicken home, I was so worried that she had something contagious. Here is a link to your state vet who may be of assistance to you with questions, plus the University of GA should be a good source: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_dis_spec/poultry/states/georgia.pdf

 

[Georgia Nana]

Thank you so much! I am scared to death! Now I don't know whether I hope she dies! I paid a lot for her with the shipping and everything, but if she is going to contaminate my flock from now on, and if her eggs won't hatch, what's the use? Ready to start raising Barbie Dolls.

 

[Eggcessive]

I understand what your are going through. MG one of the most common respiratory diseases, fortunately does not spread too far in distance if you have her isolated. I would probably watch her for a week, and not treat her with anything, and then re-evaluate her. Oops, I forgot that you started Tylan. It could just be the shipping stressed her. You may be able to find a healthy hen within a short distance to replace her if you cull her, since there are so many poultry enthusiasts in GA, the Carolinas, and Florida. I have found good honest breeders here on BYC on the threads for the different breeds. They post regularly, they love and want to perpetuate the breed, and since their reputation is on the line, they have healthy birds. I don't know what breed she is, but I'm sure you could find another, and a good chicken should not cost an arm and a leg. I would be glad to help you find a thread on the breed that you are wanting to use.

 

[Georgia Nana]

Thanks! I am going to call the poultry science dept. at the University of Georgia tomorrow and follow their advice. I will post their response tomorrow just so you will know. You have been so very helpful and caring, and I appreciate all that you have done! Thank you!