[sunshineband]

To anyone who knows me they might wonder  if I am lost being in here, but the chicken club down at the plot seem to have an issue with infectious bronchitis snce getting three new POLs.

Is there any treatment for this, as the old exbats seem to be suffering.

As a complete ignoramus about chooks, I'm wondering if there is anything they could do to help the birds, beyond good hygiene?

Sorry if this is a dumb question

[joyfull]

there are a lot of respiritory infections around at the moment Sunny. It would be a good idea to take one along to a vets for a check over. My vet gives me aureomycin which is administered in their water along with metacam (same stuff dogs and cats have) to syringe down their throats, but other vets may give baytril or tylan (there are other antibiotics). The good thing about aureomycin is that it comes in a large tub and lasts for ages (ideal for huge flocks or for keeping for future problems) and after using for 7 days there is no further egg withdrawel (it doesn't say to throw those away whilst treating but I do just in case). It is best to start treatment as soon as possible.
Hope this is of some help but taking just one to the vets would be their best option for a professional opinion 
Oh and welcome to the chicken pages (so when are we going to tempt you into getting some?  ) 

[sunshineband]

Thank you Joy for that advice -- I did suggest the vet but the guy in charge said that she had said it needed to 'run it's course' whatever that means.

Two deaduns is what is seems to mean as of yesterday and some unhappy looking birds.

The new ones are all very perky. D'you htink that they could have been recently vaccinated and brought this with them via live vaccine?

As you can see I'm guessing -- but there are no more birds anywhere near them.

[joyfull]

there are some vaccines but these are given when very young. It could be mycoplasma which when a bird gets this they have it for life and it can flare up in times of stress (eg new home, or if new birds join the flock). they can pick these infections up from wild birds as well. Just leaving them to suffer and die is neglect and as such they could be taken to court. They have a duty of care to these birds just like we have for dogs and cats as well. Treatment isn't always expensive but court action can be as well as ending up with a ban from keeping animals in the future. Is there anyway that you can stress to them that they must get help? My last visit to my vets for a tub of aureomycin cost me £20+ pounds and last week (already having the tub of aureomycin in stock from last years visit) for metacam and an examination it cost me £18 ish.
Sorry Sunny rant over - I know it isn't your fault but just leaving a chicken to suffer (just because they are only a chicken which seems to be quite a common thought) makes my blood boil 

[sunshineband]

Please be reassured that they are taking this seriously, hence my post really.

Part of the issue is that the birds are cared for by a rota of people and my worry is that it seemed that no-one was making a decision, just had talked to a vet on the phone. They do seem responsible sorts to be honest, and I wanted to be in a position to give some certain advice not wait for more birds to die.

I have it now -- take one to the vet not just a phone consultation. Obvious when you say it but I didn't want to seem to be over reacting.

Thanks for you help Joy ---- much appreciated 

[joyfull]

You're welcome anytime Sunny, and one day we may persuade you to join us (when you decide you want some give me a shout and I'll bring you down a couple of girls so that you and Mr Sunny can have your own fresh eggs  ).

[sunshineband]

That sounds very tempting sometimes Joyfull, expecte that the garden is too small and we cannot commit to the reponsibility of keeping them at school.

PS I'm working on it slowly and invisibly 

[joyfull]

aunt sally doesn't have a big garden and she has 3 hens   

[sunshineband]

She doesn't have Mr Sunny though 

[joyfull]

you managed to persuade him to think getting an allotment was his idea so I'm sure you could do the same with chickens 

[sunshineband]

you managed to persuade him to think getting an allotment was his idea so I'm sure you could do the same with chickens 

    maybe one day 

Just thought I'd let you know that no more birds have died (there were two) and that they look much perkier this evening. They have poultry spice, garlic in their drinking water (? is this usual?) and chlortetracycline (?sp) in their water for the last few days too. Does that sound right?

Break in to sheds last night down at the plot and the enclosure was broken open. Fortunately the chooks were all safe inside their little houses, thank goodness 

[joyfull]

Hi Sunny,
chlortetracycline is an antibiotic - it's trade name is aureomycin which is what my vet gives me for my chickens if they have a respiritory infection 
Garlic - either crushed or granules in water or feed is normal as is poultry spice in their feed.
 
So pleased that no more have died and lucky for them that they were safely tucked up for the night.

[sunshineband]

Thank you for the reassurance Joy 

[joyfull]

Anytime