chicken may be sick. How to treat? Local vets won't see chickens.

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Chicken Chickita

Chicken Chickita

Songster
10 Years
Jun 1, 2010
289
3
161
Middleboro, MA
I just adopted a 24-week old Polish chicken this weekend. She's running a fever and I'm betting that its an upper respiratory infection. None of the vets near me will see a chicken (even when listed as aviary specialists!). I adopted her because she has some special needs. She can't walk due to what looks like congenital deformities. The people I got her from loved very much but weren't able to care for her in the way she needs plus their flock was severely attacking her. Last night was the second night I had her. She needed a bath and a blow dry since she had been sitting in her waste. After, I put her in a crate in my bedroom. I noticed through the night that she was wheezing but wouldn't drink water. This morning I noticed that her legs were too hot so she must be running a fever. I bet its a respiratory infection given that she has been sitting so close to her waste. Does anyone know how to treat this?

Right now I'm going out to get some maple to add to her water. I'm also going to get some yogurt. I'm not sure how to get her an antibiotic if she needs it given that the vets won't see chickens. (I can't believe they'll see budgies and parakeets but not chickens!) Do chickens die from this easily?

Additionally, she is, of course, separated from the rest of my flock and will be for another month.

Any suggestions?
 
Last edited:
Birds don't get fevers (per the board certified avian vet I work for...the only time I've ever seen him take a temp. on a bird is when he's concerned about hypothermia), their immune systems just don't work that way. If her legs are warm, then it means there is a localized infection causing inflammation in her legs. That's not to say that she couldn't also have a respiratory infection.

If you would like to see a vet about this, call the avian "specialist" back and ask them for a referral to a vet who does see chickens. They should at least know of a colleague in the area who treats chickens (you may have to talk to a large animal or food/production vet). While it is a little surprising that an "avian" vet will not see chickens, keep in mind that psittacines (budgies, parrots, etc) are very different animals than galliformes (chickens, turkeys, etc) so while a vet may be very familiar and comfortable with treating budgies that doesn't mean they know much about chickens. You can get some of the older broad spectrum antibiotics (like tylosin) at feed/farm supply stores. But without knowing more about what's going on it could be a waste of your time and money.
 
Thanks so much. That helps to explain why the vets might not see chickens. I even called Tufts veterinary school, who are listed as people who treat birds, and they don't treat chickens either. The closest person I've been able to get a referral to is in Boston, which well over an hour from me. I was hoping that I would haven't to take time off from work as I'm fairly new to my job.

Presently, she isn't wheezing but her legs still feel very warm, especially in comparison to my other chickens. Its hard to tell if she is being lethargic since she can't walk and I'm just getting to know her. I'll try maple syrup. I also have some yogurt. I'll keep an eye on her and give her a broad spectrum gram negative antibiotic this evening if needed. I also have some electrolytes to add to her water. I'll keep an eye on her and see what happens.

If anyone has any other advice I would very much appreciate it!
 
One person that will help via phone (as best as one can over the phone) and for a very fair charge is Peter Brown with First State Veterinary Supply (google and it will come up) - he can also send directly to you any meds that he feels would be appropriate.

Hope your girl will get well. So sorry she is ailing and thank you for your efforts to help her
hugs.gif


JJ aka jjthink most of the time

p.s. Why maple syrup?
 
Quote:
Thanks so much! The syrup was because someone suggested it to flush her system. It didn't seem to hurt. I just put a teaspoon in her water. I don't know if it helped but I did pick up some electrolytes/vitamins from the feed store as a water supplement she is drinking now.
 

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