Is there such a thing as a chicken just having a cold?

[all4children]

When humans get colds and flus we wait it out and it ultimately makes our immune systems more robust, and makes us healthier. Do chickens get seasonal viruses like humans do, that ultimately makes them healthier? Or is everything a death sentence for the flock unless treated with antibiotics? Just seems like every time someone posts that their chicken has a green poopy butt, raspy voice, a sneeze or cough, etc. it’s a big red flag to get them separated and medicated. Honest question.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

No, chickens don't really get "colds", they get respiratory diseases. Read the article below to learn more about diseases in poultry.

Sometimes environment (poor ventilation, excessive ammonia in a coop, etc.) can cause respiratory symptoms and/or contribute to worsening of respiratory disease symptoms.

Yes, it is a red flag when a chicken has a cough/sneeze/mucous/respiratory symptoms. Most all respiratory diseases make birds carriers for life, this means that the illness can be spread on to others throughout the lifetime even if no symptoms are showing. (Read the article to see what long term effects may be after recovery - birds can also relapse).

As for separation - if one bird in a flock is sick with respiratory illness, all have been exposed. Separation to care for a weak and bullied bird may be an appropriate step to take.

Green poop? Green poop can mean a lot of things - it's all about what other symptoms accompany the poop.




https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/PS044

 

[Eggcessive]

There are a number of respiratory diseases in poultry, including those from bacteria, viruses, and fungus. Infectious bronchitis, MG (mycoplasma gallisepticum,) infectious coryza, ILT and a few other viruses are common ones. Aspergillosis is one caused by mold fungus. Antibiotics do no good against viruses or fungal infections, but may help if the right one is used for a bacterial illness. Knowing all of the symptoms can be helpful. Most state vets will perform a necropsy on a bird that dies, and that is a good way of getting a diagnosis. Since mold, dust, and ammonia from droppings can irritate the respiratory system, keeping very good ventilation is helpful. Buying birds from another person, or from a chicken sale or swap meet is the most common way of bringing in a disease that can affect the future of your flock. Buying hatching eggs can also be a risk, since MG can pass through a hatching egg.