Always Sneezing - Allergies?

[HollyWoozle]

We have a CLB hen who came in a trio maybe 9 months or so ago. She was a bit sneezy and wheezy on arrival and they were quarantined from the rest for several weeks until it stopped (or so I had thought) before going in with our flock. After a while she started to sneeze again and she has done it ever since, but today she is particularly bad, sneezing at least once or twice a minute and wheezing a bit too.

She has never shown any other symptoms of anything - absolutely no discharge, bubbles, swelling etc. She is bright-eyed and has a lovely red comb, excellent plumage and laying regularly again now spring is on the way. No signs of any parasites. Rest of the flock totally fine and normal.

Is it possible she has an allergy to something? Maybe pollen and it's getting worse now we are into spring? I am not too worried since she has been this way a long time and seems bright otherwise, but I do think it's unpleasant for her and would treat her somehow if I can.

 

[Kiki]

Respiratory diseases usually never go away.
Sometimes the symptoms can clear up only to be brought back out during times of stress.

 

[Byrd gal]

I went through same thing a few weeks ago. I was sick with worry that she had a life ending illness. I gave her some vet rx and she was fine in a few days. Dust or who knows about allergies and chickens I don't!! The experts here said if you do not have bubbly eyes or nose discharge she should be fine.

 

[samanthaoverton]

Ive been kinda coughy and weezy myself

 

[Eggcessive]

Do you notice the sneezing more when she is eating? Do you have crumbles that are powdery or dusty? How is your coop ventilation? There can be environmental reasons for sneezing. Some respiratory diseases can cause sneezing for a certain amount of time, weeks or a month. Infectious bronchitis causes mostly sneezing, but it is over in about a month. Usually other chickens will get exposed and also have symptoms. With another disease, mycoplasma gallisepticum, it can come and go, but you probably would see some eye bubbles, foam, or a swollen eyelid. Fungal infection from mold could also cause problems. I would examine her nostrils for any mucus or stuck feed, dirt, or anything else that might be causing this.

 

[HollyWoozle]

Do you notice the sneezing more when she is eating? Do you have crumbles that are powdery or dusty? How is your coop ventilation? There can be environmental reasons for sneezing. Some respiratory diseases can cause sneezing for a certain amount of time, weeks or a month. Infectious bronchitis causes mostly sneezing, but it is over in about a month. Usually other chickens will get exposed and also have symptoms. With another disease, mycoplasma gallisepticum, it can come and go, but you probably would see some eye bubbles, foam, or a swollen eyelid. Fungal infection from mold could also cause problems. I would examine her nostrils for any mucus or stuck feed, dirt, or anything else that might be causing this.

She seems to sneeze most when she is just walking around, really strange! They eat layers pellets and have a spacious shed with polytunnel access during the day (not outside due to bird flu) but she has also been outdoors in her time with us too and ventilation is good. The shed is very old and quite dry inside though, one side has an old dirt floor (like a giant dust bath) which could set her off perhaps.

I will give her another look over and check her nostrils.