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chicken less than a year old looked fine earlier but is now

Sent to Bird Experts September 7 2008 at 2:52 PM
   

chicken less than a year old looked fine earlier but is now streching its neck upwards and opening its mouth as if gasping for breath?

 

Optional Information:
Age: <1; Female; Breed: Chicken

Already Tried:
Nothing yet looking for advice but she in the house now in a box

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Reply
September 7 2008 at 4:51 PM (53 minutes and 6 seconds later)
         

Hi,

 

we have 15 chickens - three from a neighbouring farm which we have had for about two months and its one of these birds thats ill. Another 12 we bought last week which are all a bout 8 weeks old.

 

We feed and water them everday and the are kept in our stables - the rome free-range all day and are put back in at night.

 

We havent vacinated anything and are not sure is required?

 

Thanks

 

Lee

Answer
September 7 2008 at 7:11 PM (2 hours and 19 minutes and 58 seconds later)
         
Recommended vaccinations for small flocks include:
Marek’s Disease; Newcastle Disease; Infectious Bronchitis; Laryngotracheitis; Fowl Pox; Fowl Cholera and Avian encephalomyelitis.

With the exception of Marek’s Disease vaccination, all other vaccinations should be given to stock over 10 days old.
There are many more details including explanations of the diseases and where to get the vaccines here: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps030   

Get in touch with your supplier for availability of vaccines. For small flocks it’s a good idea to find another small flock owner in your area and discuss sharing the cost of vaccines since they tend to come in large flock vials.

Call your local 4-H club, cooperative extension, farm supply stores, Humane Society, ASPCA and sometimes your local animal control agency will have resources for you.

Any other farms, big or small, may also be helpful.

The diagnosis must be made with a hands on visit to a qualified vet, but I suspect Newcastle's.   

There are three forms: Lentogenic (mildly pathogenic), Mesogenic (moderate) and highly pathogenic (Velogenic).

Newcastle's is often a sudden onset disease with symptoms which may include: watery discharge from nares, labored or open beaked breathing, facial swelling, paralysis, trembling, and twisting of the neck (involvement of the central nervous system).

Mortality can vary widely from 10 to 80 percent depending on the pathogenicity.

Again, this is just one possibility based on your indications.   You really need to confirm this with an exam.

Good luck and by the way, good instincts in separating them.





Many have forgotten this truth, but you must not forget it.

You remain responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.


Reply
September 7 2008 at 7:17 PM (6 minutes and 13 seconds later)
         
Hi

Thanks for the advice. We have left the chicken overnight with our vet.

I read about Newcastles disease but also that there hadn't been a case in the uk for twenty years?

Thanks

Lee

Answer
September 7 2008 at 7:52 PM (35 minutes and 11 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
I will be anxious to know what is determined (I had no idea you are in the UK) - with this new info, I would hope for something simple (bacterial infections are pretty common) caught early a course of antibiotics may do it in no time.   3-5 day courses are often all that's needed, but since you've got your vet involved, obviously follow their recommendations explicitly.

Please re open this question any time to follow up.

(Nice job by the way - you're doing all the right things)






Many have forgotten this truth, but you must not forget it.

You remain responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.


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