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Post by ballcp on Jul 26, 2009 11:15:42 GMT -5
Hi, I have 5 orpingtons and they are all sneezing, I've tried general vitamins, citricidal, and colloidal silver none seem to be shifting it. they are all eating and drinking well but are sneezing and a couple of them have discharge from their noses and have really bad breath. I've read garlic is good for the bad breath but I'm keen to get to the bottom of the sneezing thing. I've had them 3 weeks now so I'm not very experienced with chickens. Any advice would be much appreciated
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Post by sgelder on Jul 27, 2009 8:14:01 GMT -5
Okay, do need a little more information but lets start at looking at their coop. What kind of bedding do you have? Is there anything to irritate their sinuses ie, fine wood shavings or saw dust, chopped hay etc. dust from any of these can cause chickens to sneeze. have you over done it with the mite powder?
Are you cleaning them out regulary? A build up of ammonia from their litter if their coop doesn't have adequate ventilation can cause similar problems to what you describe.
Sinusitis is usually due to mycoplasma infection you need to see a vet to get Tylosin for this. As for their bad breath, that sometimes indicates sour crop, but I doubt all five could be suffering at the same time unless they have been eating straw or very long grass and don't have enough available grit to break it down.
Garlic is a good additive for chickens in their food or water, this helps prevent worms and some bacterial infection as does cider vinegar in their water.
Keep an eye on them and try to look if there is any solid discharge from their sinuses.
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Post by ballcp on Jul 27, 2009 12:08:28 GMT -5
Hi, thanks for your reply. I lost the youngest bird today, she didn't want to get up tis morning and found her where my wife had left her close to the water.
I use straw for the nest boxes and I don't think I used enough mite powder (trouble applying it....)
They get cleaned out every day and I spray round with poultry shield.
No long grass but as I say I do use straw.
I'm taking one of the others to the vet this evening so I'll post what the vet says.
Thanks again.
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Post by ballcp on Jul 28, 2009 13:05:14 GMT -5
Good call ! The vet said he thought it was a mycoplasma infection but he didn't have Tylosin, he gave me Baytril instead.
I've read all sorts of threads on this an most say it's no good but I need to try something....
One thing I'm ashamed to say I didn't notice was a weight loss, if your reading this and you new to chickens take note, they are eating but no weight is staying on them....
Thanks again for the advice. I'll try to post the progress for future reference.
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