Yesterday I noted a chicken "sneezing" and one who sounded a bit raspy. Being unable to quarantine at this time (I have space to quarantine two and both slots are filled with an injured bird and a new bird), I figured I'd keep an eye on things. This morning 4 out of 8 of the birds in the yard are showing symptoms of illness.
Of the four birds:
2 are acting lethargic
2 have pale comb and wattles
3 are sneezing, coughing and/or wheezing
1 has swelling around her eyes (picture below)
3 have eye discharge (the one with the swelling has "white bubbles" in the corner of her right eye)
1 has clear runny nasal discharge (again, the one with swelling)
1 has not laid an egg in 6 days despite being one of my most reliable layers.
What type of bird , age and weight: Various barnyard mixes, age ranges from 7-10 months old
How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms? First noticed sneezing and raspiness yesterday.
Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms? Four in flock are symptomatic, four are not, two in quarantine are fine (except one with bloody poop - see more info in the "poop" answer).
What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation? We have had significant temperature fluctuations (70* days to 20* nights fluctuating throughout the week).
What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all? Birds have been receiving water with ACV, fermented feed with BOSS sprouts, dry pellets available and anything they get free ranging. All have been eating normally.
How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? Possible worms. This came from the worst hen. I caught it when I was photographing her eyes. I hadn't seen anything like this in the coop previously, but it looks like a full worm load poop to me.
New bird had bloody runny poop the day she arrived, but nothing since. She is still removed from the flock and I am pretty cautious about bio security.
What has been the treatment you have administered so far? Nothing yet.
Describe the housing/bedding in use: Coop is unheated/uninsulated but draft free. Using deep litter. DL has no smell or humidity build up that I can report.
Thank you all in advance for any help you can offer. I'll check back frequently to answer any questions you might have.
Of the four birds:
2 are acting lethargic
2 have pale comb and wattles
3 are sneezing, coughing and/or wheezing
1 has swelling around her eyes (picture below)
3 have eye discharge (the one with the swelling has "white bubbles" in the corner of her right eye)
1 has clear runny nasal discharge (again, the one with swelling)
1 has not laid an egg in 6 days despite being one of my most reliable layers.
Other possibly helpful information:What type of bird , age and weight: Various barnyard mixes, age ranges from 7-10 months old
How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms? First noticed sneezing and raspiness yesterday.
Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms? Four in flock are symptomatic, four are not, two in quarantine are fine (except one with bloody poop - see more info in the "poop" answer).
What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation? We have had significant temperature fluctuations (70* days to 20* nights fluctuating throughout the week).
What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all? Birds have been receiving water with ACV, fermented feed with BOSS sprouts, dry pellets available and anything they get free ranging. All have been eating normally.
How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? Possible worms. This came from the worst hen. I caught it when I was photographing her eyes. I hadn't seen anything like this in the coop previously, but it looks like a full worm load poop to me.
New bird had bloody runny poop the day she arrived, but nothing since. She is still removed from the flock and I am pretty cautious about bio security.
What has been the treatment you have administered so far? Nothing yet.
Describe the housing/bedding in use: Coop is unheated/uninsulated but draft free. Using deep litter. DL has no smell or humidity build up that I can report.
Thank you all in advance for any help you can offer. I'll check back frequently to answer any questions you might have.
**Edited to add better pictures and mention a "wormy" poo that just happened.**
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