Chickens Sneezing and shaking their heads.

[Indyguypx]

I recently added 3-15 week old chickens to my small backyard flock. I now have 5-13 week old mixed breed chickens and the 3-15 week olds. About 3-4 days ago I noticed two of the newest chickens started sneezing and shaking their heads as they sneeze. I currently have about 4 inches of pine shavings, and the occassional dusting of DE. After reading all the threads about Poultry respitory disease I'm worried it maybe something more serious. All my chickens are eating well and they free range for about an hour a day. On a side note I did notice 3 days ago the two sneezing chickens aren't sleeping on the roost, they are down in the pine shavings at night. Welcome any and all suggestions. This is my first young backyard flock. Thanks

 

[tmlpike]

The same thing happened to my flock months ago! I was still not able to identify what it was though. They started sneezing and when they shook their heads, fluid came out of their nose. They also made gurgling sounds. This lasted quite a while, but my girls eventually recovered from it. As long as your hens seem healthy and are eating a drinking, hopefully they will be okay. However, we lost one hen Sorry, wish I could be more help

 

[Julieh9r]

I too am new to chickens raising and have 2 20 weeks old pullets doing the same thing. I use pine shavings as well and DE under the shavings. They eat well, drink well. What could this be. Thanks for all the help you can suggest!

 

[Eggcessive]

I too am new to chickens raising and have 2 20 weeks old pullets doing the same thing. I use pine shavings as well and DE under the shavings. They eat well, drink well. What could this be. Thanks for all the help you can suggest!

Have a look at the link for diseases and especially read about infectious bronchitis, mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG,) ILT, coryza, and aspergillosis. By starting a new thread of your own with the symptoms you are seeing, you may get more advice. Here's the link to read: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

 

[Julieh9r]

Thanks for the suggestion and link Eggessive

 

[Bristow]

A few members of my flock have showed the same symptoms and one hen actually went into full on respiratory distress and died! I had her necropsied and the results came back as mycoplasma. I treated with tylan and oxytetracycline and had good results. Do yourself a favor and have one tested just so you'll know what your up against :0). My experience has been a compete worry and pain!

 

[cherieangelle]

A few members of my flock have showed the same symptoms and one hen actually went into full on respiratory distress and died! I had her necropsied and the results came back as mycoplasma. I treated with tylan and oxytetracycline and had good results. Do yourself a favor and have one tested just so you'll know what your up against :0). My experience has been a compete worry and pain!

How did you treat with tylan? I’ve been wondering if I should. Mine are doing this & it’s stressing me out