Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Egghead68]

Oh great. I have been treating my hen for peritonitis and she is recovering nicely. However she did not eat for a few days while going through a heavy suprelorin-induced moult so from Thursday till yesterday I was syringing Critical Care Formula into her beak for her to swallow.

Yesterday I noticed occasional heavy breathing but this morning she is doing this about half the time and clackng her beak. She is also drinking a lot and her calls sound a bit ho"Ooops, word censored!". I have tried listening to her back and I think I can hear an occasional crackle but I am not sure. On the plus side she is alert and eating well again.

She is already in the warm and in Baytril(and off CCF). I have given her some metacam. I am really worried that she has aspirated some CCF. Any ideas whether there is anything I can do? No chicken vets work on Sundays round here.

Thank you for any help.

Edited November 6, 2011 by Guest

[Egghead68]

Or she could have some kind of cold/sore throat, I suppose. She has been a bit snicky and I expect her immune system is low.

[Chucky Mama]

I'd be a little surprised if she has aspirated any fluid without you noticing at the time that there may have been an issue. She is covered by antibiotics and is covered by antibiotics. I would try not to worry too much as I am not sure that you can do an awful lot more for her whatever is going on.

[Egghead68]

Thanks, Chucky Mama. I think it's a fungal infection (she has been on high dose Baytril for 3 weeks and is drinking excessively). I have started her on Nystatin (1ml per kg twice daily). Her breathing seems much better today, thankfully.

[Egghead68]

Just to say I got a Boots one dose thrush pill (fluconazole - not licensed for poultry), mixed it with water and gave her a 10-15th per day and that got rid of the problem nicely.