I've two 'Laydees' in the infirmary :(

[HayleyB]

Gawd Jane, lucky chooks they've got you

[Glutton4...]

Hi glutton, where did you go in North Essex to the vet. My normal vet won't look after them? Hope they pull through....

Have PMd you their details.

OK, I know I'm daft, but soon after I rang the Vet about the first two, I noticed the second two, and thought 'Oh s**t I've got an epidemic!' As luck would have it, the first two had hardly a sniffle by the evening, and the Vet wasn't worried about them.

I've kept them separated, and will for the weekend (as I'm away, so Mum's in charge ). If another starts sniffling in the meantime, I'll play it by ear!

Thanks all for your kind words

[Poultrykeeper]

Finding the right vet to deal with Chooks is always tough. I started a list of Poultry Friendly Vet (UK) and it's very hard to find good ones. I must have called 50 vets and very few had anyone with any poultry experience.

Respiratory diseases are common - Rasping / Darth Vader Breathing with runny nose / bubbles of fluid in eyes are all common symtoms of upper respiratory infection or Mycoplasmosis. Eventually combs and wattles start to turn blue as the oxygen supply is decreased. I wrote down everything I know about Mycoplasma in Chickens. The Vet will normally use Tylan or Baytril- a broad spectrum antibiotic Tylan 200 is the injectable form that is injected into the breast.

The chooks will usually get better quite quickly once treated if it's not left too late and can turn into Chronic Respiratory Disease.

Personally, I believe in using Garlic and ACV - the ACV cuts through the Mucus for one helping them breathe and get oxygen as well as having many other benefits in the digestive system against internal parasites. The Garlic is very good for boosting their immune system. Both of these need to be given over a long period of time to build up in the system though...

I hope some of this helps...

Tim

[Glutton4...]

Hi Poultrykeeper, and thanks for your comments. The Vet did say 'upper respiratory infection' and said there were several types and causes. In view of the good recovery of the 'poor' bird (Scruffy), and the speedy recovery of the healthy bird (Rosie), he didn't seem too worried.

I forgot to ask what they were injected with (idiot !), but when I called today about withdrawal, was told not to eat their eggs for four weeks! I shall keep them segregated from the remainder of the flock (mainly because of the eggs), but any more with the 'sniffles' will be left longer to see if their immune systems can fight it as I have no other 'poor' birds in the flock.