Unsecure chicken perches

[Lizzie]

Hi

We have had our newest additions since 16th May and they were then 20 weeks old

As soon as we got them home it was apparent that three of the five were not well (two particularly under the weather) with bad colds; sneezing, bubbles in eyes, runny noses and rattling chests.

I wouldn;t dream of taking them back, the stress of moving would have undoubtedly brought things on, so we contacted our vet who prescribed a low % dose over ten days of baytril. Two have responded really well and after tonights final dose should be 100% better. However, Ginger, is still sneezing and when I administer the antibiotic, is still slightly rattling. She also has the "fishy" smell on her breath they seem to get with colds.

So, do I take her to the vets tomorrow to get a different antibiotic or continue with the baytril for a few more days ?

 

In addition, Molly (one of the three with colds) still has yellow runny poo. Again, I put this down to stress and have been giving them all bokashi bran since they arrived. Will her poo improve with time ?

 

I have to add that none of them are mopey now, charging around the garden like lunatics, but obviously want them all 100% before they are integrated after a few weeks with my exisiting chooks

 

As always, any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

Best wishes

Liz

[Redwing]

The poo situation should clear up but every one in so many poos will still be yellow/orange - thats normal

 

It sounds like the hens had Mycoplasma, if one hasnt cleared up she needs to go back to the vet, baytril is fine but if your vet will prescribe Tylan (either injection or in the water) that would be better especially if she didnt respond to the Baytril

[staceychristie]

I'd be sure they're all cleared up, as you say before introducing the new girls to the established ones. They'll need all their strength whilst the pecking order is reestablished. And also there is the risk of passing on infections.

 

Vets though I'd suggest.

 

Stacey

[Egluntyne]

I agree with both. She may well need further treatment, and she does need to be well before you merge them with the others.

[Lizzie]

Many thanks to all

I will take her to the vets tomorrow

It does sound, having looked up Mycroplasma, that she has / is getting over this.

Hope we have reacted quick enough to get her over it as she is such a sweetheart and we are already very attached to them all. I will let you know what the vet says

 

Best wishes

Liz

[Lizzie]

I took Bluebell to the vets this evening as I could not hear Ginger rattle when giving their medicine this morning whereas I could with Bluebell.

 

He confirmed Redwings diagnosis of Mycoplasma (what a star you are) and has put them all onto a course of Tylan in the water. I will also continue with Baytril for the ones getting better to make sure they get over this and have upped the dose of Baytril for Bluebell as she is a big chook already.

 

Having just read another very sad post about a chook having breathing problems, it does seem that stress / moving can bring on all sorts of problems so if there are any signs of sneezing / rattling (like a smokers cough), sleeping more than usual (or more then the other hens), runny beaks, bubbly eyes, please do get the chooks checked out as left untreated could result in an unhappy ending.

 

Regards

Liz

[scarlettohara]

Glad they are on the mend and thanks for keeping us updated

[Redwing]

 

Having just read another very sad post about a chook having breathing problems, it does seem that stress / moving can bring on all sorts of problems so if there are any signs of sneezing / rattling (like a smokers cough), sleeping more than usual (or more then the other hens), runny beaks, bubbly eyes, please do get the chooks checked out as left untreated could result in an unhappy ending.

 

Regards

Liz

 

You've hit the nail on the head there, Mycoplasma is present in many flocks but its times of stress or illness that bring it out

[Millie-Annie]

I bought my Marigold home fit as a fiddle, next day rattling and coughing. The clever people on here diagnosed Myco and sure enough my vet confirmed it. I had Denaguard to put in their water for a week. It cleared up really quickly though