HELP! Respiratory Infection?

[LottieEmily838]

One of my Polish girls seems to have developed another Respiratory infection, it’s currently -1 - 8 degrees Celsius outside so if I isolate her I’m not sure if she could survive being alone. Another of my chickens, my Serama Rooster seems to be unwell too, should I put them together and take them inside my house?

 

[Eggcessive]

I would say that all of your chickens are already exposed to whatever disease since most respiratory diseases make carriers of all flock members if they are kept together. So unless you can keep them warm enough, I would not separate. Can you describe what symptoms you are seeing? Is there any bubbles in either eye, swelling of an eyelid, sneeze, or gasping? What do you treat them with?

 

[LottieEmily838]

Their eyes are bubbly, their noses are filled with gunk and snot and they are sneezing and wheezing. My Polish girl keeps falling over and walking into things. I have placed them in a play pen with food, water and scrambled egg and put a heater near them. None of the others are displaying symptoms but obviously I’ll keep an eye out. I flush their eyes with saline but that’s is all I have right now. If I can’t get them to perk up I’ll persuade my mum to take us to the vet.

 

[Eggcessive]

Do they smell bad around the beaks or not? It sounds like they have MG (mycoplasma gallisepticum) or if they smell bad,,it could be coryza. MG is treated with Tylosin or Denagard/tiamulin, or tetracycline antibiotics. Coryza is treated more with sulfa antibiotics. Are you in the US or elsewhere? In the US, you can get Terramycin or plain Neosporin ointment to apply to the eyes. Keep cleaning the eyes and beaks until you get some antibiotics.

 

[LottieEmily838]

Do they smell bad around the beaks or not? It sounds like they have MG (mycoplasma gallisepticum) or if they smell bad,,it could be coryza. MG is treated with Tylosin or Denagard/tiamulin, or tetracycline antibiotics. Coryza is treated more with sulfa antibiotics. Are you in the US or elsewhere? In the US, you can get Terramycin or plain Neosporin ointment to apply to the eyes. Keep cleaning the eyes and beaks until you get some antibiotics.

No their beaks don’t smell. No I live in Northern Ireland

 

[Eggcessive]

I realize that it may be difficult to obtain antibiotics where you live, but perhaps a vet or farm vet could help. Sometimes a family member or friend could have some leftover human antibiotics or eye drops. Some antibiotic eye drops for cataract sure might help. In the meantime keep the nostrils and eyes clear and clean. Make sure they have good overhead ventilation in the coop with no direct drafty areas, to remove dust and odors. Poor ventilation, dust and mold can lead to more breakouts of respiratory infections.

 

[LottieEmily838]

I realize that it may be difficult to obtain antibiotics where you live, but perhaps a vet or farm vet could help. Sometimes a family member or friend could have some leftover human antibiotics or eye drops. Some antibiotic eye drops for cataract sure might help. In the meantime keep the nostrils and eyes clear and clean. Make sure they have good overhead ventilation in the coop with no direct drafty areas, to remove dust and odors. Poor ventilation, dust and mold can lead to more breakouts of respiratory infections.

Okay thank you so much

 

[LaFleche]

Some Polish just need a good trim of their overabundant head feathers to be able to see properly. Check if this could be the case with your hen.

 

[LaFleche]

Until you get the antibiotics, you can brew them a strong tea with oregano, thyme and aniseed which will help to fight the infection. Let it steep for at least 40 minutes and serve luke warm with poultry vitamin additives.

In case you do not have or like artificial vitamind, serve them some freshly grated carrots with grated apples and a bit of greek yoghurt and brewers yeast mixed in.