[dawn_e44]

HI all,

I have three bantam hens around 8 months old and about a month ago noticed that my barnevelder (think spelt it right) was showing symptoms of mycoplasma, so treated all three with collidial silver in the water. After a couple of days I noticed that the white star's ears started to look a bit crusty but as she had sypmtoms of the illness just thought it was that coming out so decided a bit of watchful waiting was in order. Gave them 14days of silver, flower (BV) has inmproved, got my first egg from windy (sussex) but my white star Doris became more sleepy, doesn't like getting out of bed in the morning and has trouble righting herself to stand, she holds her head to one side and on closer inspection has a cheesy susbtance in one ear. I clean it out with cooled boiled water and cotton pads as best I could but it is quite deep seated.

I have checked her over as best as I can and she is bright eyed, eating fine, clean vent, she is quieter than the other too but she is such a slight bird and our temp here has been minus something for days (my car registered -8.5) yesterday morning so she is holding her own.

Any suggestions on how I can clear this up, they are fed on layers, mixed corn and greens as they are confined to a run most of the time.?! Also how would she have caught this?

Sorry for the massive post 

Dawn

[joyfull]

it sounds like she has an ear infection and may need a topical anti bacterial treatment, I would get her to a vet just to be sure.

[dawn_e44]

thank you for that, is there anywhere else I can get a topical treatment from??

Dawn

[joyfull]

The vet should take swabs and grow some cultures so they know exactly what the problem is and be able to treat accordingly.

[Helenaj]

Be very careful with the use of colloidal silver - according to my poultry vet prolonged use can cause liver problems and should never be given for more than 5 days at a time with a break of a couple of months in between.
 Antibiotics from the vet (soluble Tylan) are a far more effective and safer way of treating Myco.

[dawn_e44]

Thanks for all the info guys, just went out to the coop to find two eggs to my utter delight!!!
Only thing is dont know who is laying them..(silly question may be but) are the eggs okay to eat whilst she is poorly..doubt she is laying but thought I'd ask??

[dawn_e44]

Just been to vet and she has given Baytril as suspects its Myco that has gone into the ear so now I have an egg withdrawal    but at least it should be simple to clear  :happy: