Abnormal Breathing in Chickens

[countryguy]

Hello,

I’m new to this site and live in Ontario Canada. I have read the FAQ related to my issue, and have tried the various suggestions made, but with no success.

I have raised various types of poultry as a hobby for most of my life. I’ve recently experienced a new problem with some of my birds and I’m hoping someone can suggest a solution.

Although the birds appear to be quite healthy (show normal activity and have bright eyes) while roosting in the evening some exhibit a gasping for air behaviour. Then in the morning, I have found one dead. I have asked other bird fanciers for help and received different suggestions. They do get ACV as a preventative, but nothing seems to work.

Initially, it was suggested the problem might be worms, so I medicated with pour-on Ivermectin. The issue continued. It was then suggested to medicate with anti-biotics, first with tetracycline. No positive results. A friend who raises peafowl, suggested a stronger medication (metronidazole) obtained by prescription through a vet. Again it didn’t seem to solve the problem.

I find it frustrating that the birds have come through winter, and now that spring has come, they are getting sick … and even dying.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

 

[dinosaw]

Hello country guy and welcome to the forum.

Apart from the breathing are there any other symptoms such as nasal discharge or sneezing? any feather plucking?. The normal culprits in respiratory problems are Mycoplasma and Infectious Bronchitis, though as I'm sure you are aware there are several other possible causes. Unfortunately it would seem that antibiotics are only partially effective in treatment as they struggle to penetrate to the air sacs often leaving the bird with continued breathing problems. If it was something like air sac mite then you have already administered the suggested treatment with ivermectin. As you have multiple birds showing signs then it is most likely one of the infectious diseases above or an environmental one such as aspergillosis caused by fungus unfortunately beyond having a go with antibiotics, making sure the coop is well ventilated and the bedding nice and fresh there is little you can do beyond feeding supplements to keep the immune system healthy. Airsaculitis which is the end result of most respiratory diseases and what often causes the gasping needs specialist veterinary treatment (endoscopy) to help clear.

 

[countryguy]

Thank you for your reply. Other than the gasping, they seem to be fine. In all the yrs I've had birds, I've never had this happen before. I'm continuing with anti-biotics for the suggested time, and then giving them a break before resuming the meds. I'll just have to hope for the best.

Thanks again.

 

[Marigold]

Hi Countryguy and welcome to the Forum.
I'm sorry to hear about your gasping chickens. Another member from the USA is very concerned at the moment with what appears to be a very similar oroblem, see http://poultrykeeperforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=9781
as we've not had any reports about this from our UK members, I'm just wondering if this could possibly be some kind of new infection in your area?

 

[dinosaw]

Apparently the antibiotics are a lot more effective on respiratory problems when they are administered via a nebuliser so the fine mist finds its way into the lungs and air sacs. Have to say that I don't know the practicalities of how you would go about this though I'm sorry to say.

 

[countryguy]

Hi Marigold,

Thank you for the welcome.

The strange thing is, I have basically 2 setups close to each other. Both have similar birds, and are treated/housed similarly. Yet, only the one is exhibiting these issues. I have checked with other hobbyists in my area, and they don't seem to have these issues. I did read your suggested topic. I wonder if any of their neighbours are experiencing these problems?

 

[Marigold]

That's interesting. I expect you're being extra careful with bio security at present, at the least visiting the healthy pen before you go to the second one.
I did wonder if it could be some kind of mycoplasma mutation, - although if so, of course it wouldn't respond to antibiotics, being a virus, unless it set off a bacterial bronchial infection. Or was an I.B infection n the first place. Just guessing wildly!
What bedding do you use in the coop? Could dust or mould spores overnight be a factor?

 

[countryguy]

Yes, I do my best to keep them isolated. The coops are basically wide open as long as the temperature is above freezing, so lots of fresh air and ventilation. I use pine/spruce shaving as bedding.

I'm beginning to think it must be viral since the anti-biotics seem to have no effect.