Henslaved Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 I have recently added two new bantam girls to my flock, but one of them seems to be showing signs of some kind of respiratory problem. At first I thought it could be myco brought on by the stress of the move but she doesn't have all the symptoms. There is no discharge from her beak or eyes. The symptoms she is showing are: sneezing quite often, puffy eyes (which is why I called her Muppet ), her face and comb go a deep purply red when chased (by the other girls, not me) and gets out of breath very easily and has to breath through her mouth (she also sounds quite rattly when she gets out of breath) also the part of her face between her eyes and beak inflates and deflates as she breathes. I know you're all going to tell me to take her to the vets, I would just like to hear what you guys think before I take her as my vet isn't that chicken savvy . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 It does sound quite serious. its proably a blockage between the nose and the air sac, so she isnt getting enough oxygen (hence the blue comb). could you try and slow down the intros a bit so she isnt chased so much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 It does sound like a respiratory problem, so I would take her to the vet if I were you. How long have you had the new girls? It might be worth contacting the breeder to find out if any of their other chickens are showing similar symptoms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henslaved Posted July 4, 2011 Author Share Posted July 4, 2011 How long have you had the new girls? It might be worth contacting the breeder to find out if any of their other chickens are showing similar symptoms. I have had them both since the 9th June, no-one else has the symptoms so I am assuming it isn't contagious. As for contacting the breeder, they seemed more aloof then the girls, so think I would be wasting my time there . It does sound quite serious. its proably a blockage between the nose and the air sac, so she isnt getting enough oxygen (hence the blue comb). could you try and slow down the intros a bit so she isnt chased so much? I have checked her nostrils as best I can (they are so small) and her comb doesn't go blue exactly just a really dark red bordering on purple. I don't think I could slow down the intros any more than I am. They only get 2-3 hours FR together of an evening. Will ring the vets tomorrow and see what she suggests. Thanks guys. Do chickens get hayfever? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 A number of respiratory problems are viral and you can prevent secondary infection with Citricidal, Respite or even ACV but a bacterial infection really needs antibiotics or you can get complications with laying tract causing wonky shells, prolapse and other complications. If she's getting puffed around eyes and struggling to breath it sounds as though her sinuses are getting affected and being rattly is a bit worrying. I would get her checked by a vet if only to listen to her chest properly. Even if your vet doesn't treat chickens normally they will deal with other birds and have an antibiotic in such as Baytril which treats a number of problems. It could be myco, they are affected to different degrees and as you say brought on by stress. I would seperate her anyway partly to reduce the stress when she's under the weather but also to prevent it passing on to the other girls. Hope she picks up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henslaved Posted July 5, 2011 Author Share Posted July 5, 2011 I have been putting citricidal in their water for the past few days now, just hope it has helped. I have her booked in at the vets for 1pm today, but unfortunately my usual vet is fully booked so am seeing another just hope he knows his birds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henslaved Posted July 5, 2011 Author Share Posted July 5, 2011 Back from the vets, no clear diagnosis. Vet thinks it could be myco or possibly aspergillosis. So we decided to give Muppet a 10 day course of Baytril and see if she improves . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 It is hard to diagnose what it is and my vet says they need to send specimens but as the treatments the same why not just treat it. So really hoping it sorts her out now, sure it will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henslaved Posted July 16, 2011 Author Share Posted July 16, 2011 Muppet has now completed her 10 day course of baytril with no sign of improvement . However she seems fine when just pottering around as long as she doesn't exert herself. She has also stopped running away when mean old Rosie chases her she just squats and takes a few pecks, which is better for her breathing and also means she has just come into lay , unfortunately eggs not edible due to the baytril . Am reluctant to take her back to the vets as they want £100 for a blood test plus x amount of pounds for an x-ray . None of the others have shown any similar symptoms, so I am guessing it 's nothing contagious possibly a genetic defect as she has been like this since I got her. Will just leave her be for now. *Sighs heavily* chooks who'd hav'em. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
