Greetings Unobtanium,
It is not uncommon for new chickens, especially pullets to get respiratory illnesses. It sometimes happens as a reaction to stress. Moving chickens is very stressful for them. I have had this happen in the past with some pullets.
As EggSighted4Life mentioned, it can be one of several different respiratory illnesses. It's hard to know exactly without testing. If you cannot take the chicken to see a vet, we here at BYC, can do our best to help you with treatment.
What to do?
For now, keep the chicken separated.
Provide good supportive care:
Treatment for the respiratory illness is dependent on what is causing it.
If it is Infectious Bronchitis, it is viral and supportive care along with antibiotic for secondary infection is the best treatment, recovery is 6-8 weeks and may spread to other members of the flock.
If it is Mycoplasmic, then it is bacterial, and antibiotics such as tylosin (Tylan), erythromycin, enrofloxacin (Baytril) or Denagard may help. I have used only enrofloxacin and Denagard. For treatment of the entire flock, I prefer Denagard.
If the nasal discharge has a foul smell, then it may be Infectious Corzya. Erythromycin is one antibiotic that will treat it.
Infectious Bronchitis is the most lengthy recovery, because after the initial recovery, there may be relapses, bouts of diarrhea and problems with egg shell quality. My flock is just now recovered from IB, it has been a long 11 weeks, since the first hen showed symptoms. And respiratory symptoms were almost non-existent, just a few snuffles. It was their reproductive system that was infected.
Caring for sick chickens can be tedious, especially if you have to work outside of the home. So, set up a routine that allows you to administer the meds, clean the cage, and feed the chicken, in a timely manner.
These are my thoughts on your new flocks health issue. I hope they are helpful.
God Bless
It is not uncommon for new chickens, especially pullets to get respiratory illnesses. It sometimes happens as a reaction to stress. Moving chickens is very stressful for them. I have had this happen in the past with some pullets.
As EggSighted4Life mentioned, it can be one of several different respiratory illnesses. It's hard to know exactly without testing. If you cannot take the chicken to see a vet, we here at BYC, can do our best to help you with treatment.
What to do?
For now, keep the chicken separated.
Provide good supportive care:
- A hospital crate with food and water (make sure water doesn't spill).
- Keep the chicken out of drafts, a temperature of 65-75 degrees F.
- A humidifier is helpful, to treat symptoms (stuffiness, congestion), provides comfort.
- VetRx is also helpful in providing comfort for the bird, by relieving nasal symptoms. It is a chicken type of Vicks rub. Apply under eyes, around nostrils, and under wing pits at night. It doesn't cure, it provides comfort.
- Warm moist compress, on the eyes is also comfort and relieves some pressure, and cleans.
Treatment for the respiratory illness is dependent on what is causing it.
If it is Infectious Bronchitis, it is viral and supportive care along with antibiotic for secondary infection is the best treatment, recovery is 6-8 weeks and may spread to other members of the flock.
If it is Mycoplasmic, then it is bacterial, and antibiotics such as tylosin (Tylan), erythromycin, enrofloxacin (Baytril) or Denagard may help. I have used only enrofloxacin and Denagard. For treatment of the entire flock, I prefer Denagard.
If the nasal discharge has a foul smell, then it may be Infectious Corzya. Erythromycin is one antibiotic that will treat it.
Infectious Bronchitis is the most lengthy recovery, because after the initial recovery, there may be relapses, bouts of diarrhea and problems with egg shell quality. My flock is just now recovered from IB, it has been a long 11 weeks, since the first hen showed symptoms. And respiratory symptoms were almost non-existent, just a few snuffles. It was their reproductive system that was infected.
Caring for sick chickens can be tedious, especially if you have to work outside of the home. So, set up a routine that allows you to administer the meds, clean the cage, and feed the chicken, in a timely manner.
These are my thoughts on your new flocks health issue. I hope they are helpful.
God Bless
