Chicken rookie with sneezing chicks

[jmc]

Actually, the sneezing issue didn't change at all when I switched them over to pure kiln dried pine shavings. It continues to this very morning about the same as usual, over two months later: no worse (I think), no better.
On the rare occasions when I am present and close enough to catch a sneeze at close range, sometimes there is a bit of nasal discharge, sometimes not. This morning I caught one sneezing with discharge, another with none. But I would imagine they all have it to a liitle degree. Note that I have NEVER seen discharge except immediately after a sneeze. There is NEVER eye discharge.
Some have proposed I'm worried over nothing re. the sneeze, thinking it is just a residual effect of early dust. But this seems like a long residual effect! They've been outside in a nice environment for over a month now. Moreover, the pine shavings themselves are quite dusty.
They eat well, forage in their chx tractor well, and drink well. Their feathering out and growth have been excellent--though I have no experience. Example: at 8 weeks, one bird weighed 3#, 7oz.; at 9 1/2 weeks another, 4# 12oz. rivalling meat birds! They're beautiful and lively. Again, if they have anything and maybe they do, it can't be very serious, cuz they've had it for over two months and aren't slowing down!

Bless you

 

[Wynette]

chickenmonk, I'm wondering...do you ever notice them standing around with their eyes closed? When you do hear them sneeze, listen carefully....is it just a dry sneeze, or do you hear gurgly/wet sounds? If so, I think you may have Air Sac Disease.

It's common, and affects young birds from 5-12 weeks old.

Sneezing for this long of a period is not normal. I had a similar issue and after doing tons of research, came to the conclusion that I probably had Air Sac Disease. I treated my affected ones with Tylan (antibiotic that goes in the water) for 3 days, and all are fine.

 

[jmc]

Standing around with their eyes closed? Haven't ever seen that, though they do take their little rests during the day, alternating with foraging and visits to trough and fountain.

I have heard so many sneezes by now! and they don't sound wet, even though I have seen discharge on occasion. They sound the same to me now as at the first. I guess you'd say a simple dry sneeze. Nor do I hear them wheezing or sounding congested. Though I can hear them pant at close range in the heat we've had.

 

[Wynette]

Interesting. I guess if it were me, I wouldn't worry about, but just keep carefully watching. If they are eating, drinking, and otherwise seem fine, I would think that there's something in their environment that's causing them to sneeze. They shoudlnt be sneezing all the time. It it quite dusty where they are kept? Are they in close proximity to a field where spraying of chemicals may occur? Maybe some plants that are blooming that are giving off pollen or something? It sounds like they have plenty of room - they'll sneeze a lot if kept in close quarters, due to the dander in the air, but it sounds like they have plenty of room inside & out. I sure don't have a clue, other than keep watching! Good luck - let us know if anything changes.

 

[karanleaf]

Chickenmonk I just read over your thread of your sneeze issues.
It is quite a puzzle.

I wonder if you have been having more rain than usual in your area? If so it might be a mold in the air issue. I would think it would effect chickens the same as people in that. Or as Wynette suggested dust or plant pollen in the area?
Anyway since you haven't lost any and they seem to be thriving I wouldn't think it's any sickness. But, I would try to change or eliminate somethings in their area just to see if it improves.

Good luck

Oh by the way a bit late but

 

[jmc]

I was advised to call the hatchery I got them from (via Agway) to present my case; and the very founder of the hatchery said it doesn't sound serious and that I'm driving myself crazy (Of course that assumes he really HEARD my case too!) He suggested a few days with Terramycin in the water. I used it and there was no change. Calling him again, he said give the Terra. another 5 days, and if nothing happens again, forget it and don't worry.

But we have had a rather wet spring and humungous rains recently. The mold thing is interesting.

I will keep you posted.

Peace

 

[Wynette]

If you've tried Terramycin and are having no results, you might want to go with something stronger that's effective on resistant respiratory issues - I've used Tylan with GREAT success on these types.

 

[jmc]

As long as I dont kill them. I'd like to give that a go and see what happens.
Do you think I can do this safely?

I'll call local Agway and another feed place to see if they carry Tylan.

Thanks so much!

 

[Wynette]

Gosh, I don't know if you'd need to wait a day or so before starting them on it. I've read in other posts that you don't need to. I'm not that experienced with health issues, truth be told; I just mentioned it because it worked really well for me. But, if you decide to use Tylan (I could only find it online), call the phone number of the manufacturer - they have a poultry vet in-house that answers questions, and I called when I couldn't figure out the dosage (it had how much to mix with the entire bottle, and it was like 500 gallons or something....I only needed it for a few sick ones!). GOOD LUCK!