Currant Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 I have one remaining omlet chicken nearly 3 and 2 new chickens from another breeder bought in august. One of the newbies was diagnosed at the vet as having infectious bronchitis (IB) as she had a swollen bubbly eye and snotty nostrils. She has had tylan for a week and then baytril when this didn't make any difference. The other newbie also showed some symtoms so was also treated with baytril. They seem to be on the mend - I have cleaned everything and changed the ground they are on as it is supposed to stay in there for 4 weeks. The original one still has a slight bubbly eye but they are all eating and lively. I have contacted the breeder who has said although they were vaccinated the original omlet could be a carrier because of the vaccines? I am supposed to be getting new cube and chickens at end of october and not sure what to do now as don't want them to catch this virus (although would keep them separate for a bit as hanging onto eglu). The new ones have not laid and may not as this virus affects their laying tackle. The breeder has even offered to cull all 3 and give me 2 new ones but this is obviously very upsetting - but the right thing to do? Help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 Hang on a minute I am a bit confused. So the original Omlet girl has always been fine and the 2 newbies have had bubbly eyes and sneezing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Currant Posted October 4, 2010 Author Share Posted October 4, 2010 Yes that's right. Is this just a lie then - can they be carriers of the live vaccine but not show any symptoms? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 There is no reason to suspect that your Omlet girl is to blame for anything. Lots of other forum members have had new chickens join the flock and then develop illnesses just like yours. The stress of moving lowers the defences and previously undiagnosed illnesses come to the fore. It is always a good idea to keep newbies quarinteened for this reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Currant Posted October 4, 2010 Author Share Posted October 4, 2010 They were kept separate for a week but next to each other. The sneezing started after a few weeks but got worse quite quickly with the whole eye very swollen. What shall I do now - will they still be infectious by the end of october or later than that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 They may have mycoplasma in which case you need a different antibiotic - I had a pekin who had suspected myco and she only improved on marbosil (sp). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 As Chuckymama says a number of infections are dormant in many flocks and are likely to appear at times of stress like moving or new chickens. Vaccines don't always 'take' but I don't believe the chickens shed the live organisms. This site may help you differentiate between mycoplasma and infectious bronchitis but treatment is still antibiotics. http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/ There is a risk of laying problems but you have them on to antibiotics so try not to worry too much. Best to take vet's advice on whether they are infectious. Guess if they are coughing, sneezing etc., they will be more likely to pass bugs on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 If it started after a 'few weeks' then they are more likely to have caught it from wild birds in your garden than from anywhere else. Both Myco and IB can damage the egg tackle. I've had great results in the past with Tylan, but see what your chicken vet recommends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spencerwood Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 Hi, I am really sorry to hear this. ...and I hope you don't mind me asking where you got your news girls from? I have had a similar problem with some newbies, although now on Baytril they seem to be on the mend. Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Currant Posted October 8, 2010 Author Share Posted October 8, 2010 Well all seem to be much better except for occasional sneeze but no rattles or bubbles from eyes. BUT still no eggs (they should be too ). I guess I'll just see how it goes as can't bear to just hand them back to be killed and don't really blame the breeder at all as they were great with advice and when I bought them (Widgits). Hmm, more freeloaders...Will keep new cube and new chickens well away as garden allows until settled. Have yet to let hubby know I'm keeping hold of the eglu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted October 8, 2010 Share Posted October 8, 2010 perhaps he won't notice Good news they are on the mend. Give them time to get over the infection and they'll mature and lay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Currant Posted October 13, 2010 Author Share Posted October 13, 2010 Well I thought they were on the mend but now Charlotte has a bubbly eye again. Arghh! How has this happened again and what shall I do? I am tempted to take them back to the breeder now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amc Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 It's sad as you do get more attached the longer you leave it. The breeder may take them until they are better rather than cull t hem? Which breeder is it as I know some do? Hope you manage to make the right decision. We went through exactly the same and had to make a decision too. There's no right answer really... If it is mycoplasma for example that can reoccur at any time, but it does seem to have come back very quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 I'm not sure that any breeder would take them back until they are better - the last thing they'd want would be infectious stock on their land. I can't recall the full story, but if you bought them recently, then (and this is just my personal opinion) they need to go back to the breeder and your should either get a refund (to buy elsewhere) which is what I would do, or be able to select new stock from the same breeder. IB or Myco will affect the hens' laying ability as well as their future health, especially if it has been ongoing or recurring. Unfortunately, they fail to thrive well if they have had either and are never really right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
