Chickens Sneeze

[Rietta]

I have been considering culling my flock to start over after sanitizing and rest for the coops and runs. I feel though that this is a drastic measure. I have a few chickens/roos sneezing, a couple open mouth breathing, and one EE that is making a honking sound while open mouth breathing. They are 100% "normal" outside of this. It has been about 6 months since this started (not honking but sneezing and open mouth breathing). I did a round of antibiotics in feb-march area that did nothing to help. It was from the vet, I took one girl in and she sounded fine.. but was clearly making noise from her mouth. Vet said she thought it was coming from the throat and prescribed baytril to that hen and a water soluble for the rest of the flock. Well that hen is gone, she continued to get worse despite care and I put her down when she quit being active. She was old however. I did a elector PsP dip thinking maybe mites... no improvement.. my next step is safe guard to make sure its not gape worms. Any other ideas from anyone. I have seen some threads with similar issues but no answers at all. 3 roosters, 15 hens vary in ages from 2+ years to 4 months. Pic attaches is a 4 month old roo who does the open mouth breathing and is

making almost a sigh noise after crowing

 

[sean_wonder]

I would look into Infectious Bronchitis? Sounds like it to me

 

[jaxonann]

Is it constant or intermittent?

 

[sean_wonder]

From memory I think it’s constant and extremely damaging to hens ovaries, and there’s nothing you can do to stop reinfection or reduce exposure except to cull everyone sick and hope the rest don’t fall ill, so it’s not something to take lightly BUT I’m not 1000% sure I’m thinking of the right one so don’t get worried!! Just let me grab the relevant pages from my Chicken Health handbook for you after I eat some dinner! Any pictures of their noses, eyes, and especially INSIDE of their mouths would be super helpful!!

 

[sean_wonder]

I would grab them for you now to reduce worry but I really have to eat before it gets cold haha

 

[Rietta]

Thanks for looking, I have gone over the "chicken health handbook" and everything looks the same. The eyes, nose and mouth are clear looking and normal. Its been constant especially since the hot weather. Laying has slowed due to molting. They are eating and drinking normal active and alert.

 

[sean_wonder]

Ok, probably just dust! My chickens sneeze when it’s dry and warm out. Seems to be harmless. I haven’t heard the rattling/honking sound you were talking of so I was worried about that

 

[sean_wonder]

Sorry for forgetting to post the pages!

 

[Rietta]

Its good, Thanks