Hi Kitkat, it does sound like your brahma had an infection called infectious bronchitis, probably before you bought her, it doesn't have a particualry high mortality in older birds but does seem to have an effect thereafter on the respiratory system, making them susceptible to infections like sacculitis,(air sacs) primarily as the IB may have left damage or artifacts there.
The other problem with IB is that the original disease would have infected the reproduction tract, and at an age where she was still developing this would have interferred with egg laying, leading to odd, misshapen or soft eggs to no eggs at all. Brahmas do tend to start laying rather late as they take a long time to develop and mature.
The only treatment now IMO is to ensure that at times of stress she is given a little extra TLC, the garlic in the drinking water is a good idea, plus a good tonic, Lifeguard or an Oregano based product. Keep worming topped up, and add ACV to the water, at any signs of rattling start on the antibiotics - stock of tylan would be the best. Good husbandry as well, ensuring good quality bedding at all times (I'm sure you do!
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I had a hen a few years back that I bought with what we thought had at sometime been infected with IB, and she did have very similar symtoms to the ones you describe, since then I have very,very rarely brought in new birds and only then if I know the breeder personally.
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August 18, 2009, 16:25