Chicks with runny nose- Only symptom.

[Peeperscreepers]

Hello,
So I went against my my original plan to only use hatching eggs to expand andacut down on diseases that my flock could potentially be exposed to although i know that isnt full proof, i bought a couple brahma chicks for my husband that I found locally. When I got them I THOUGHT I looked them over really well and didn't notice anything. The lady's pens and chickens all looked good, she SWORE they were healthy, but the day after I brought them home I noticed runny noses. That is the only symptom, no sneezing or head shaking, no runny eyes, NOTHING, just runny noses. They are in quarintine on the other side of my property, new cloths after I tend to them, shoes changed and bleached, whole deal. I DO NOT want my original healthy flock sick over two chicks. I don't want the heartache or frankly to have to repeatedly nurse sick chickens back to health, I know that sounds bad. but I would like to get into breeding someday. I don't want to cull them but will if needed to keep my flock healthy. I did use hay a couple days after I got them for bedding because I didn't have correct bedding, but that was discontinued. I am wondering if that could be the cause? Any thoughts or advice?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

the day after I brought them home I noticed runny noses. That is the only symptom, no sneezing or head shaking, no runny eyes, NOTHING, just runny noses.

I did use hay a couple days after I got them for bedding because I didn't have correct bedding, but that was discontinued. I am wondering if that could be the cause? Any thoughts or advice?

Do you have any photos?
How old are they?
Did the runny noses clear up/get better once you removed the hay?
Was the hay moldy?
Do they have ventilation - what are you keeping them in?

It would be hard to know what's wrong without more symptoms, it could be something in their environment causing the runny noses or it could be a respiratory disease.
Can you send some samples to one of the NC state labs for testing, that would be a good way to know if they have something contagious, especially if you are considering breeding.
NC has 4 labs-Raleigh, Fletcher, Elkin and Monroe http://www.ncagr.gov/vet/ncvdl/

At this time, I would not treat them with any medications, just see that they are eating/drinking and continue to keep them quarantined until you find out more.

 

[Silkies rule Forever]

I agree!

 

[Peeperscreepers]

Thanks @Wyorp Rock, I believe I will call and send in samples tomarrow, safest bet, they are 5 ish weeks old by breeder, it did not clear up when hay was replaced with straw and the hay was kept dry, and the goats are currently eating it with no problems, no mold, just some dust. They have had the hay replaced with straw for 2 days now so maybe they haven't had time, they have plenty of ventilation, hay is the only thing I can think of that could cause problems, I hope that's the cause. I was super paranoid about bringing new chickens in anyways, because I don't want the problems, I understand anything can happen with chickens but why bring unnecessary heartache in, i believe samples is the safest bet as you recommended. Thanks again, it just stumps me that a snotty nose is the only symptom. Can chickens get simple colds, like humans do?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks @Wyorp Rock, I believe I will call and send in samples tomarrow, safest bet, they are 5 ish weeks old by breeder, it did not clear up when hay was replaced with straw and the hay was kept dry, and the goats are currently eating it with no problems, no mold, just some dust. They have had the hay replaced with straw for 2 days now so maybe they haven't had time, they have plenty of ventilation, hay is the only thing I can think of that could cause problems, I hope that's the cause. I was super paranoid about bringing new chickens in anyways, because I don't want the problems, I understand anything can happen with chickens but why bring unnecessary heartache in, i believe samples is the safest bet as you recommended. Thanks again, it just stumps me that a snotty nose is the only symptom. Can chickens get simple colds, like humans do?

Glad you are going to see about testing.

No, chickens do not really get colds