[Helen70]

Hi - delighted to have come across these pages.
I took delivery of 6 my first 6 hens about 10 days ago (3 x 16 weeks- 2 marans & a bluebell and 3 x 13 weeks - 2 barred wyandottes and 1 white wyandotte). Yesterday one of the marans was 'coughing' and neck stretching and one of the barred wyandottes was 'rattling' as she breathed and slight mouth opening (both withdrawn). I spoke to the vet as I assumed perhaps gape worm and my flubenvet hasn't arrived yet. He didn't stock it and suggested parazole wormer. I dosed all the hens as suggested. This morning the two poorly hens are much the same, hunched, not interested etc, and the other barred wyandotte is swollen on one side of her face with her eye completely closed and is also withdrawn. I'm intending on calling the vet (or am I panicing as a new mother?!) who is lovely but admits to being no hen expert. Any suggestions as to information I can arm myself with before talking with him today or other remedial action I can take now. Hate to see the little things suffering. All advices much appreciated. Thank you

[joyfull]

are there eyes bubbly and have they been sneezing? It sounds like they could have an infection such as mycoplasma - perhaps a trip back to the vets to see about a broad spectrum antibiotics such as Aureomycin, Baytril or Tylan - give it to them all and if it does turn out to be myco then never breed from them as they will always have it and it can be passed down to through into their eggs. Stress brings it out such as going to a new home and moulting.

[Helen70]

Thank you for getting back to me. Eyes not bubbly, one sneeze noted out of rattling wyandotte. Not intending to breed. Spoken to vet who has suggested respiratory infection and has started them on Ronaxan for 5 days, but if no better within 3 days to go back. Fingers crossed it does the trick.

[Lindeggs]

Hello Helen70, welcome to the forums.

I think you have made exactly the right decision by getting a vet to check them out, and it does sound like some kind of respiratory infection.  Worming them is still a good idea, as their general health will be suffereing as a result of whatever they have, and worms will add to that stress.

My Light Sussex Sylvia recently had a respiratory infection and she has made a full recovery after a course of broad-spectrum antibiotics.  Hopefully your girls will do the same. 

[ManicMum]

As well as speaking to the vet, would it be worth contacting the breeder/supplier?  If it is a significant health problem, they might need to know.  I don't know where you stand with regards to returning unfit animals?

[Lindeggs]

ManicMum it's interesting you should say that.  I put that advice in my post originally then deleted it, but I wish I had left it in.

It's not about blaming the supplier for selling you 'faulty' chickens, but just about keeping them informed and perhaps asking them for advice.  The chickens showed the first symptoms 10 days after purchase so they could have had some underlying problem that showed up under stress, or they may have picked up something in transit or at their new home (from wild birds etc).

Helen70, did you get all the chickens from the same place, at the same time?

[Helen70]

Thank you Lindeggs and ManicMum - I have telephoned the breeder of the wyandottes and am awaiting a return call. The marans and the bluebell came from another supplier who has said there are no other reported problems. The wyandottes arrived 5 days after the Marans/bluebell.
The coughing maran is still coughing but is brighter in herself today while the two barred wyandottes have not improved and are very withdrawn. I am going to watch them for the rest of the day and speak again with the vet tomorrow if there are no improvements. I was hoping I'd see some positive change with 2 antiobiotic doses in them.

[bantam novice]

Good Luck and keep us posted.