Sudden respiratory distress - please help!

[ahodges]

Hi all - last week I introduced some new girls into our existing flock. I noticed one of the new girls was acting pretty sick - puffed up, lethargic, wouldn’t eat, etc. Separated her and unfortunately she did not make it. Yesterday I noticed 3 of my existing hens acting sick as well. Respiratory symptoms, crackle breathing, lethargic. I posted a photo below of the girl who is the worst off. I direct dosed the 3 with Tiagard and immediately added it to the entire flocks water. Is there anything I’m missing? This is my first time dealing with sick birds and I’m very worried and really beating myself up for bringing the new birds in. Please help! Any and all advice is welcomed.

 

[Eggcessive]

It is always a risk bringing in new chickens. They can be carriers of a respiratory disease from their old flock even though they may not show symptoms at first. The stress from the move can help bring it on. Exposure to other birds at sales or swap meets can infect healthy birds as well. Tiagard or Denagard, as well as Tylosin can treat symptoms of mycoplama (MG) one of the common diseases. Most birds will probably survive, but may be less productive, and can have a relapse during times of stress (molting, extreme weather, etc.) Unfortunately, you whole flock may be carriers from now on, even if most birds don’t have symptoms. Close your flock to new birds. Breed from survivors, or wait until this flock is all gone, to repopulate with healthy chicks. Do not sell or give away birds, and do not sell hatching eggs. Treat any that get symptoms. Consider sending in or taking a body to your state vet for a necropsy and testing, and then you will know exactly what disease you are dealing with. There are a handful of different diseases, and knowing whether it is viral, bacterial, or fungal would be helpful. Make sure that your ventilation in the coop is good, and that bedding stays dry and clean as possible. Here is some info:
https://extension.umd.edu/sites/ext... Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) Infecti....pdf

 

[ahodges]

It is always a risk bringing in new chickens. They can be carriers of a respiratory disease from their old flock even though they may not show symptoms at first. The stress from the move can help bring it on. Exposure to other birds at sales or swap meets can infect healthy birds as well. Tiagard or Denagard, as well as Tylosin can treat symptoms of mycoplama (MG) one of the common diseases. Most birds will probably survive, but may be less productive, and can have a relapse during times of stress (molting, extreme weather, etc.) Unfortunately, you whole flock may be carriers from now on, even if most birds don’t have symptoms. Close your flock to new birds. Breed from survivors, or wait until this flock is all gone, to repopulate with healthy chicks. Do not sell or give away birds, and do not sell hatching eggs. Treat any that get symptoms. Consider sending in or taking a body to your state vet for a necropsy and testing, and then you will know exactly what disease you are dealing with. There are a handful of different diseases, and knowing whether it is viral, bacterial, or fungal would be helpful. Make sure that your ventilation in the coop is good, and that bedding stays dry and clean as possible. Here is some info:
https://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/2022-04/FS-1008 Recognizing and Preventing Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) Infecti....pdf

Thank you so very much for your response and info. I will continue with the Tiagard and was also able to find an avian vet that I will take them to tomorrow morning for testing to find out for sure so I’m not guessing moving forward. Really appreciate you taking the time to respond!!

 

[Eggcessive]

RAL (Vetdna) and Zoologix labs offer testing for 8 respiratory diseases. They will ship you swabs and materials ro send them back for PCR testing. That may cost less and it would be private. A necropsy and testing through your state vet if you lose one would be the best and most accurate since they do tissue cultures and look at the body, lungs, air sacs, etc. Let us know what your vet thinks. Here are some links for testing:
https://www.zoologix.com/
https://www.vetdna.com/

 

[ahodges]

RAL (Vetdna) and Zoologix labs offer testing for 8 respiratory diseases. They will ship you swabs and materials ro send them back for PCR testing. That may cost less and it would be private. A necropsy and testing through your state vet if you lose one would be the best and most accurate since they do tissue cultures and look at the body, lungs, air sacs, etc. Let us know what your vet thinks. Here are some links for testing:
https://www.zoologix.com/
https://www.vetdna.com/

Thank you so much. This is such great info to have! I will definitely post back after the vet visit.