[Prod]

My young welsumer cockerel has been ill for about a week and hasnt crowed at all He has a raspy cough and doesnt seem to be eating as much (He always ate corn from my hand but is not interested)  I have given him an antibiotic injection but this morning I noticed that his comb is starting to go very dark at the back.....  Any advice please  I dont want to lose him as he is such an attractive and well tempered bird.....

[Casey76]

Where did you get the antibiotic from?  Which antibiotic was it?

Usually antibiotics have to be given over a period of time, not less that a week, to prevent disease recurrence, and to prevent the bugs becoming resistant.

[Prod]

The vet gave me a course of injectable anti biotics  so yesterday was his first shot  next in 3 days and 3 days later if still unwell...

[Casey76]

Well unfortunately antibiotics aren't an immediate cure, so the fact that there has been no improvement overnight is quite normal.

The comb going dark is usually a sign of oxygen depletion due to either cardiac failure or respiratory distress.

As your boy has a respiratory infection, I would wager that his comb goes back to normal once the antibiotics have kicked in.

[Prod]

thanks  I hope so....