2Chiqs Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 I have just bought three new chickens, all have been vaccinated and wormed before I collected them However they are all now sneezing and coughing, one with a slightly weepy eye, and occasionally with foamy orange poo. The supplier says that none of the same batch have the same symptoms, and I am reluctant to return them to him, as already I am rather fond of them. I have dosed their water with tonic, apple cider vinegar and Citicidal - is there anything else you could suggest, or do you think it will pass with good food, fresh air and freedom (they are free-range)? The poo seems to be settling a bit now - that might have been stress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 I see you lost 2 chooks recently - did they die of any recognisable illness (eg something airborne) which could be lingering and I presume you did a thorough clean before putting the newbies in? Assuming nothing pre-existing is amiss, you've only had them a few days, and moving is stressful so I'd maybe perservere with the criticidal but cut the other things out, just give them clean water, over the weekend. Then if it hasn't gone I'd whisk them to the vet -they may need some antibiotics to clear up a respiratory problem. These, and other illnesses, are relatively common with new stock as they adjust to moving/new home/new bedding/new food etc etc. I think the poo may just be a coincidence as you suggest. As a general rule, ACV can be given 1 week in 4, or every weekend say. Tonics should be used for perking up purposes, but I wouldn't give at the same time as meds or criticidal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chestnutmare Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 However they are all now sneezing and coughing, one with a slightly weepy eye. Sounds like an infection to me which you'll need antibiotics from the vet if this is the case. I'd see the vet if I were you just to put your mind at rest (at my vets you just take the one/worst chicken). Snowy was sneezing a little when I got her but decided a trip to the vets was a must when I saw her blowing a bubble from her nostril . She had an infection and has just finished her second dose of antibiotics... I don't think it could have gone completely the first time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Chiqs Posted April 1, 2011 Author Share Posted April 1, 2011 Thank you for the advice. I have not been able to determine exactly what killed the other two - the older one was quite unwell for some time anyway and they both had diahorrea, tucked up, not feeding etc and the younger one's comb had black scabs at the base. I thoroughly cleaned and disinfected their Eglu, and cleaned as much of the garden as possible before the new arrivals. I will continue with the citricidal over the weekend with fresh clean water as you suggested. I have got some High Stability Colloidal Silver natural antibiotic here - is it worth giving them that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 I know colloidal silver can be used to treat mycoplasma (airbourne nasty disease involving chesty gurgling, coughs, runny nose, runny eye, basically a nasty upper respiratory tract problem) which, for all we know, your girls might have/be developing. However, the real giveaway is bubbling eyes, and I tend to the view that if they just have the snuffles and are a bit down in the dumps, I see how it goes, if it doesn't shift I get baytril (a general purpose AB) from vet, but if its myco I ask for tylan (which is better for myco). I'm not sure of its efficacy against 'run of the mill' respiratory tract problems and more to the point I can't remember the dosage. However, if you know the dose and are willing to take a chance, personally I have a bit more faith in the colloidal silver than the citricidal; its been recommended to me for myco by a proper specialist avian vet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Chiqs Posted April 1, 2011 Author Share Posted April 1, 2011 I don't know if it was a coincidence, but I am a bit nervous of antibiotics. My old hen (who died last week) had a run-in with a pair of secateurs 18 months ago, nearly severing her beak. While on antibiotics and in isolation for this, her companion picked up something nasty, with chronic diarrhoea, which killed her in 12 hours. The old hen might have caught this as well, and was very ill for a week, but (thanks to antibiotics?) survived, however she never laid a decent egg again. Do you thinks this was coincidence, or antibiotics? I know you can't give a definitive answer, but do antibiotics affect the egg laying process? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chestnutmare Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 I know you can't give a definitive answer, but do antibiotics affect the egg laying process? Snowy's been given Tylan twice and it didn't effect egg production - she's always been a fab layer, anitbiotics and all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 No I don't think they do, its more that the illness affects the hen. Laying does put a stress on their bodies and is about the first thing to go when they are under par. Then depending on the illness, there might be physical internal damage/scarring whatever as well. ABs do effect the eggs tho - you aren't supposed to eat them for a withdrawal period (can't remember what it is offhand); I was told this was partly to prevent the ABs getting into the human food chain. I too have had birds who have been given ABs who went onto have fully productive lives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Chiqs Posted April 18, 2011 Author Share Posted April 18, 2011 Having tried Colloidal Silver for a week it was obviously not working so I took them to the vet who confirmed they had Microplasma, and gave me Baytril antibiotics. The problem is I have to give it to them orally twice a day - fine for the first two days, then the "got wise" and fled under the bushes. For the last few days I have been getting them out of their beds first thing in the morning and once they've gone to roost, but I don't like doing it and they hate it. Now they have had the antibiotics directly for a week (out of ten days' treatment), could I give the remaining doses in water or mixed into food? They are becoming so wild and hand-shy and it is distressing for all of us to have to headlock and thrust syringes down their throats twice a day!! I would appreciate some advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Personnally I'd persevere with the syringing. I presume you've been given a suspension, if so thats how its meant to be administered. If you put it in water you don't know how much they've drunk. Think of it this way - 3 days hassle for a good chance of prolonged and healthier life. I can tell you that myco has a tendency to hang about for years, reappearing at times of stress, if you don't manage to clear it. Its definitely worth the short term 'pain' for the longer term gain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Chiqs Posted April 18, 2011 Author Share Posted April 18, 2011 Thank you for your swift reply. I understand about not diluting it by putting it into their water, but what about soaked in breadcrumbs, which they love - 3 different helpings so I can monitor who gets what? Is there any reason for not putting into food? Their symptoms have all eased considerably, though I do know to continue to the end of the prescription and want to rid them of this infection as far as it is possible. I'm just trying to find a gentler way of doing it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted April 20, 2011 Share Posted April 20, 2011 probably a bit late now, but I can't really see why you can't put it on bread or whatever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
