[TG]

A relative in Ireland has just called to ask for advice.
He had a chicken that started with runny eyes and gurgling sound / sneezing. Not eating / drinking. This seems to have spread to others in the flock. The vet does not have any ideas.
Does anyone know what this is and if anything can be done ?


Thanks
TG

[deepinthewoods]

personally, if something like that was going through my flock, id cull the lot. but, i dont keep expensive chickens and only up to 25 of them, and i mainly keep them for meat.
im sure someone more knowledgeable will be along in a mo...

[manian]

sounds like IB
we had a similar prob from new flock we bought from chelford market, we treated the whole flock with Baytrill the 2 main culprits we separated and have not returned them as they apparently may stay carriers.
one became particulary problematic and had a dodgy eye-  needed eye cream for that $$$$$$$$$ in fact I though we may loose the eye
now both are well- but not risking putting with layers or breeding stock
good luck

[Fowlman]

Yep i agree, classic IB symptoms. IB or myco will often result in poor layers of misshaped eggs unfortunately.

[chrismahon]

It sounds like both ILT and IB as it's spread so fast. My experience of Myco is it only affects weaker individuals. Could be the immunisation strains hopefully -has he introduced any new birds in the last 2 weeks TG ?

[TG]

Yes he has introduced new stock. He contacted the supplier but no sign of any problems with him (or so he says).
Thanks for the comments - I'll pass on.

[TG]

Just spoken to him to pass on the information - he has got Baytril from the vet and they are much improved this morning. Passes on his thanks to all and I have suggested he join AS. It it still advisable to separate / remove the new arrivals ? I am assuming Baytril sorts the symptoms but does not cure.
TG

[manian]

I would seperate ( and have kept them seperate- but it depends on available space)
the whole flock will need treating so no eggs eaten for a while
although my OH ate them    he seems ok but grown a hump
Mx
 forgot to say, we were told we could put in the water if treating whole flock but we decided to give each a dose (0.1ml) directly so we knew they had a dose

[chrismahon]

Too late to separate TG and that wouldn't have stopped it unless it was permanent. The new birds had the usual hybrid immunisation programme with live viruses of IB and ILT. They are infectious and his existing flock has caught both at the same time. Nasty, but they will recover but will flare up now and again for two years in times of stress. Baytril will prevent secondary bacterial infections. They won't be able to eat for a few days as their throats will be raw.

[Rosemary]

Did I read somewhere that hens that have had IB have tiny pupils in their eyes? Or did I imagine it?

[manian]

our poorly ones have now got normal sized pupils.......
and I'm becoming an expert on sizing things as I'm on vulva watch
(don't ask )
Mx