Cornish X sneezing and runny nose...

[Allie Grace Sanders]

When my dad was out moving his Cornish X, he noticed one was sneezing and had a runny nose. They are almost 8 weeks and will be butchered in 3 days. Will they be safe to eat? Do I need to worry about my laying hens? Is this a symptom coccidiosis? Any advice will be helpful, thanks!

 

[Mary's Backyard Chickens]

I think it could be Bird Flu (Avian Flu.) I would say the bird would definitely NOT be safe to eat. In rare cases, the flu could be transmitted to you and you can get really sick, and die. Most likely not, but it's better to be safe than sorry!

 

[Allie Grace Sanders]

Should I be worried about my hens eggs?

 

[Mary's Backyard Chickens]

Should I be worried about my hens eggs?

I would be worried about the eggs as well, to be safe.

 

[Sara Ranch]

A vet can do a throat swab to test for avian flu. I don't know what the cost is, but results are back within 24 hours.

 

[Allie Grace Sanders]

Could it just be a cold? The weather is reaching mid 30s at night...

 

[ThenNotSoChickenMaster]

I think it could be Bird Flu (Avian Flu.) I would say the bird would definitely NOT be safe to eat. In rare cases, the flu could be transmitted to you and you can get really sick, and die. Most likely not, but it's better to be safe than sorry!

I agree, don't eat it, better safe than sorry. I would separate the sick chicken right away before it spreads to the healthy chickens. You could treat the chicken (and wait until the antibiotics have left the chickens system), or cull it, but don't give it to the other animals, throw it far away.

 

[Sara Ranch]

The word in the chicken world is that chickens don't get colds. Ever.

If the chicken is sneezing, it could just be something tickling it's nose.

If it was my situation, I would pull the chicken and put it in sick bay. It may need a few days of warmer temps (inside), fresh acv or vitamin water, and clean food to feel better.

I would watch the other chickens that it roomed with to see if any of those chickens had a runny nose.

Was a snotty, running nose or possible food or water dripping down the nose? Edited - nose should be beak.

While I have considered eating a chicken that was in sick bay, my chickens recovered and went back out in the world. I have had SEVERAL (more than 2) chickens that just needed some down time away from everyone else and their life as a chicken. Seriously. A day or two or a week in sick bay and they fully rebounded.

If you and your family are healthy and not worried about catching the avian flu, I would say harvest and make sure the chicken is cooked very well before eating.

 

[Allie Grace Sanders]

Sara Ranch, should I still be worried about my hens eggs? They free ranged last night, and sometimes they peck at the babies poo.

 

[Allie Grace Sanders]

If they have bird flu will they be dead in the morning?