Chicken Sneezing With Runny Nose

[Jenamocrr]

Long story short, I have a hen that was exposed to another sick hen five days ago. My now healthy hen is showing similar symptoms of a clear runny nose and sneezing. She is otherwise acting and pooping normal, but this is just day one. What might she be fighting and how can I treat her. She is our only chicken at the moment so there is no concern for an outbreak. Thank you!

 

[Eggcessive]

I would look at infectious bronchitis as a possibility. IB is pretty contagious, the most common respiratory disease, and usually is short-lived, lasting around a month. Sneezing and a slowdown in laying are the most common symptoms. Occasionally they may lay wrinkled or soft eggs. It makes chickens carriers for up to a year, so if you don’t add birds for a year, it should not be passed on. You may try to get some testing to confirm the disease. Mycoplasma or MG may be similar in symptoms if it is a mild strain.

 

[Jenamocrr]

So I have to keep a lone hen for a year? I was planning to take in three more hens over the next few weeks.

 

[Eggcessive]

If you get some testing it may let you know if she is sick. You wouldn’t want to bring in new birds with a bird that might be a carrier. Some of the common diseases are infectious bronchitis, MG, coryza, ILT, and aspergillosis. You can read about those here:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044