CRD (Chronic Respiratory Disease): Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

What is CRD?

CRD, or Chronic Respiratory Disease, is caused by the Mycoplasma gallisepticum bacteria. It is one of the most common poultry diseases in the Philippines, especially in hot, humid conditions or overcrowded coops.

CRD is contagious — if one bird is infected, there is a high chance it will spread to the entire flock.

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Symptoms

• Gurgling or rattling sounds when breathing (tracheal rales) — this is the most obvious sign
• Nasal discharge, sneezing, coughing
• Watery or bubbly eyes, eye discharge
• Swollen face (in severe cases)
• Head shaking, gaping (mouth open to breathe)

Tip: Hold the bird close to your ear. If you hear gurgling or whistling as it breathes, it is CRD.

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Treatment Protocol: Premoxil (5–7 Days)

Premoxil works against CRD because it contains Amoxicillin + Tylosin — the Tylosin component specifically targets Mycoplasma.

Important: Even after treatment, the bird may still be a carrier of Mycoplasma. This means it can still spread the disease to other birds even without symptoms. Monitor the flock and isolate previously infected birds if new signs of CRD appear.

Recovery Phase

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Prevention

• Good ventilation in the coop — do not keep it too enclosed
• Reduce dust inside the coop
• Isolate newly arrived birds for 2 weeks before introducing them to the flock
• Reduce stress — avoid overcrowding and extreme heat

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Golden Rules for Treatment

1. Never mix Sulpar QR and Premoxil in the same water. Sulpar QR in the morning, Premoxil in the afternoon — keep them separate.
2. Do not mix medication with Vitmin Pro on the same day during treatment. Give Vitmin Pro only during the recovery phase (after the treatment protocol).
3. Always use freshly prepared medicated water each day. Do not reuse yesterday's mix.
4. Remove all other water sources during treatment to ensure the birds drink the medicated water.
5. Isolate sick birds immediately from the healthy flock — do not wait.
6. Complete the entire treatment course even if the bird looks fine by Day 2. Stopping early risks creating drug-resistant bacteria.
7. Prevention is better than treatment. Keep the coop clean, sand dry, deworm regularly, and vaccinate properly.

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Disclaimer: This guide is for reference purposes and is based on manufacturer product labels and published poultry health sources. Consult a veterinarian for severe or unusual cases. Observe the proper withdrawal period before consuming meat or eggs from treated birds.