Ill chickens, HELP!!

[new2gyo]

Today we have noticed that some of our chickens are going to sleep outside (unusal behavour) so we investigated. They appear to have runny noses, one of which is brown which could signal blood in the discharge. Also they are breathing heavy and are making a rattling sound when breathing.

Does anyone know what this is as i have searched the net and come up with several things it could be. Any ideas on treatment (preferable natural). Thanks

[Suechooks]

Antibiotics would be my choice but you could try "Respite" which is a garlic based product you put in the water. In the meantime put some garlic or garlic powder in their food or water
If they've suddenly started sleeping outside the first thing is to check and treat your coop for red mite. If you've got an infestation of that it will be lowering their resistance to colds etc.

[its hilly]

The sleeping outside could be because the coop is invaded by redmite. Wait till black dark and go with torch to look. They hide daytimes and come out nights to feed off the chooks.
Best to give coop thorough clean anyway and spray really well with smite or poultryshield. Read the sticky at the top of the page for everyones experiences and advice on it. Its good.
As for wheezy and rattle..stressed chooks can get respitory infections..so could be because mite has upset them...but could also be something more serious. Respite in their water and/or garlic powder in the food will help if it's very mild, but otherwise it would need antibiotics, and chooks do go from 'I'm fine and eating' to 'droopy' to 'dead' very quickly..so unless you think it's barely noticable I'd take one to the vet.

[its hilly]

Lol Sue, I need to type faster. Nice to know you said the same.

[Suechooks]

Lol Sue, I need to type faster. Nice to know you said the same.

Yes Hilly - I was chuffed too!

[RichmondHens]

I agree with both Sue and Hilly. Sleeping outside is certainly a sign of red mite, so get that hen house checked out asap.

They could just have colds, or mycoplasma (there is a separate thread about this) so if the snuffly noses have not cleared up in a few days then you need to get antibiotics from your vet.

[Polly Fouracre]

My girls (and Trevor) have all been poorly, not eating, pale combs and lethargy and my oldest "Dim" died.
Anti-biotics in their water seems to be doing the trick though.
Hope you're girls pick up soon.

[petal]

Yep, some of mine have clear snotty noses, so going to get tylan from vet after bank holiday. As they have not answred my calls during the past week, I will have to go over there in person......