Myco in 5 week old chick?

[Solopuff]

I would like some advice please. I have 4 x 5 week old Cream Legbar chicks being raised by a broody. One of the chicks is smaller than the others and has now developed a swollen eye. Although I can't detect any obvious breathing diffuculties I am concerned that the problem may be mycoplasma and will need treating with antibiotics but
- taking a broody plus chicks to the vet is going to be very stressful for them all and may make things worse - will vets prescribe without a visit?
- will they all need treating?
- they are in a pen next to another broody and chicks so will they need treating too?
- will my flock of adult hens need treating too?
- if I do successfully treat the poorly chick - it is a female - what are the chances that she will lay when adult?
Thanks in advance for any helpful suggestions.

 

[snifter]

Just a quick fyi, I've taken broody and chicks to the vet on two occasions (different hens) and tbh I found it causes no real stress to either hen or chicks. So long as transported in a dark ventilated box and movement kept minimal while in the car I've found them fine. They certainly don't seem to suffer any ill effects and are with mum the whole time so I never worry.

 

[snifter]

Just a quick fyi, I've taken broody and chicks to the vet on two occasions (different hens) and tbh I found it causes no real stress to either hen or chicks. So long as transported in a dark ventilated box and movement kept minimal while in the car I've found them fine. They certainly don't seem to suffer any ill effects and are with mum the whole time so I never worry.

 

[Tim]

Mycoplasma Gallisepticum / Infectious Bronchitus (the most common type of Myco in Chickens) causes coughs / sneezes but most of all wheezing / 'Darth Vader' breathing and fluid around the nostrils / eyes (often bubbles of fluid around the eyes). Secondary infection can be eye problems...

A swollen eye without breathing difficulties could be a straight forward infected eye from some muck getting into it, or it could be caused as part of a secondary infection caused by something else - sometimes this is from respiratory problems in the nasal passage so I wouldn't rule out Mycoplasma.

A typical eye infection gives white fluid or bubbles of fluid around the eye and swelling, if left, yellow puss like fluid and crust under the eyelid. It does require a little bathing often. If ignored, the chook is likely to lose the sight in that eye.

If they were mine, I would certainly take them all to the Vet in a box as Snifter has done, but you may want to bathe the eye with cotton wool soaked in water (i normally flush with mineral water but human eyewash is also a good choice) to stop the discharge from going hard.

The problem will continue if there is another underlying problem - so the vet will no doubt be looking to try to find and treat the underlying problem if there is one.

If the vet suspects Myco, the most common treatment is Tylan or Baytril antibiotics (more on these under the Medication section on the main PK site) but these should effect egg laying capability of the pullet.

Let us know how you get on, good luck.

 

[Solopuff]

Thank you both very much for your replies. Unfortunately the chick deteriorated this afternoon and died a short while ago. She did develop breathing difficulties in the end and went down hill very fast. Why do these things always happen on a Sunday? Also typical that it was a pullet chick
I will now have to monitor the others to ensure they don't get infected.
I'm still at a loss as to where the infection came from - both parents were mine. Strong healthy birds and both home-hatched and raised.

 

[podstable]

Sorry you lost your chick.Its about all the time I am afraid , seems worse in autumn -like human bugs, a number of species of respiratory bugs including myco distributed by garden birds etc.Dont think you could have prevented it , just need to keep a close eye on the rest and treat if any signs at all.It does not need to be imported on infected poultry. Ros

 

[Tim]

Sorry to hear you lost your chick

 

[Anonymous]

Sorry you lost her .