Weight loss and potential respiratory infection in hen?

[EMS83]

Well we have another issue. What might she have (I see mycoplasmosis and Avian flu) and how do I tell which is more likely? How to do I treat at home, and do I need to worry about the rest of the flock?

1) Black Australorp, maybe 2 lbs; feels very thin and light. Not sure if from 2020 flock or 2023 flock.
2) Noticed her off to the side with her head buried in her shoulder while the other birds ate; after separating, noticed she sounds congested when she breathes and "coughs" or has a rattle when she tries to cluck (can't tell which); mucus visible in nostrils but not running
3) 1 day, afaict
4) No other birds affected so far.
5) No injury or trauma.
6) Unsure of cause.
7) Waterer rinsed and filled daily; 22% layer pellets; grit when fed scraps; shells free choice
8) Normal poop
9) Separated her and gave her food, water, grit, and shells; she ate immediately.
10 ) No vet
11) Photo below
12) hoop coop, netted run; pine shavings in coop, mulch in run; 8 nest boxes; 5 feed pans; 3 roosting bars; 31 other hens; 689 sqft between coop and run.

 

[Debbie292d]

Hi,

Your pretty hen's eyes look clear and her face doesn't appear swollen. Agree?

If so, it sounds like it would be something respiratory, but not necessarily to the extent of being MG or avian flu. Is there anything else leading you to those conclusions?

I have amox here but not sure I'd jump to an antibiotic quite yet, up to you.

I would keep her warm and give vitamin support, wet mash feed, scrambled eggs, etc. to get her to eat a bit more. Then, I would see if in a day, she's digressing or improving, and go from there.

@Eggcessive and @Wyorp Rock are both so good about stuff like this, so I would like to hear one of their opinions, too.

 

[EMS83]

Hi,

Your pretty hen's eyes look clear and her face doesn't appear swollen. Agree?

If so, it sounds like it would be something respiratory, but not necessarily to the extent of being MG or avian flu. Is there anything else leading you to those conclusions?

I have amox here but not sure I'd jump to an antibiotic quite yet, up to you.

I would keep her warm and give vitamin support, wet mash feed, scrambled eggs, etc. to get her to eat a bit more. Then, I would see if in a day, she's digressing or improving, and go from there.

@Eggcessive and @Wyorp Rock are both so good about stuff like this, so I would like to hear one of their opinions, too.

That's just all I'd dug up in a quick Google search. I've since found a 6-page table of poultry respiratory illnesses, which isn't as helpful as it sounds, lol.

I agree she doesn't look sick and seems pretty alert. It's just the weight and the weird congestion sounds. So basically a chicken cold, maybe?

She's in the house; I don't have any other good place to separate birds that need monitoring. Is room temp warm enough?

I'll do scrambled eggs tomorrow morning. Should I pick up some nutridrench? I recently dosed the whole flock or I would have it on hand.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Black Australorp, maybe 2 lbs; feels very thin and light.

after separating, noticed she sounds congested when she breathes and "coughs" or has a rattle when she tries to cluck (can't tell which); mucus visible in nostrils but not running

Her eye is a bit sunken which can often indicate respiratory illness, couple with the mucous, could be you are dealing with Mycoplasma or Infectious Bronchitis, hard to know.

Have you added new birds recently?

Is her crop emptying?
Any lesions inside the beak?
Any bad odors about the head/face?
Any bloat or fluid in the abdomen below the vent between her legs?

2pounds for an adult Australorp hen is quite light. I'd work on hydration and encouraging her to eat.

Poultry Nutri-Drench or Poultry Cell won't hurt to give for a few days.

If she doesn't improve or symptoms worsen, consider giving her a round of antibiotics. Tylosin is a good choice for treating respiratory illness. Flush the eye with saline and dab a little Terramycin eye ointment or Original Neosporin in the eye a couple of times a day.

Do check for lice/mites while you are at it, sometimes when a bird is down, the parasites take over. If possible, get a fecal float to rule out worms as part of the problem.

 

[Debbie292d]

That's just all I'd dug up in a quick Google search. I've since found a 6-page table of poultry respiratory illnesses, which isn't as helpful as it sounds, lol.

I agree she doesn't look sick and seems pretty alert. It's just the weight and the weird congestion sounds. So basically a chicken cold, maybe?

She's in the house; I don't have any other good place to separate birds that need monitoring. Is room temp warm enough?

I'll do scrambled eggs tomorrow morning. Should I pick up some nutridrench? I recently dosed the whole flock or I would have it on hand.

I think it does sound like a chicken chest cold and some of these respiratory issues, they can get past themselves.

I didn't realize you had her in the house, so yes, that's great she can't get chilled. It's cold at night here so that's why I would have brought her in too.

We use Nutradrench, Poultry Cell, or most recently I wanted powder for a particular reason so picked up Durvet vitamins. I use any one of them about once a week for all of them.

 

[EMS83]

She sounds better and has gained a little weight, but isn't fully back up to where she needs to be. The thing is, she's in tight quarters. Is it worth putting her back in with the flock and letting her recover the rest of the way there so she can get some exercise?