Do chickens have allergies?

[Snortch]

Earlier today I was taking pictures of my chicken tractor and noticed one of my chickens sneezing (I had to laugh, it sounded just like a really tiny 'shew!'). I just went back out there to check their water and feed and noticed she was breathing thru her mouth (beak, whatever)...just like I have to breathe thru my mouth when my nose is stuffed up from allergies.

Or could it be something else?

 

[Snortch]

Wow, seems like everyone has sneezing chickens! Must be this weird weather.

 

[Snozzle]

I have a rooster that has been sneezing for probably 6 months now, which is how long I have had him. I had gotten him and a hen as adults from not so perfect conditions, which was the main reason why I took them, to get them away from there. No other symptoms, eats well, has lots of energy and he is in with his hen who is not sneezing and they just produced 2 beautiful babies who are just fine too. I have had this little guy to my vet and my vet said it is either damage from unsanitary conditions that he had lived in before, strong ammonia or litter with a lot of dust or chemicals or it simply could be allergies. I have tried different litters with him, but he always sneezes. We do live in one of the top 3 allergen area in the US and I have been dealing with my own allergies all through the winter myself, so it could very well be that. It doesn't seem to bother him in any way, none of my other chickens sneeze and obviously does not affect fertility.

 

[speckledhen]

They sneeze for all sorts of reasons. They've even been known to get a corn kernal up their nares at times. Check the nares for dirt stuffed up in there-it happens quite a bit with them digging around in the soil. You can scrape it out carefully with the stiff quill of a feather or toothpick if you see it.

I have a hen who is over 5 years old and has sneezed daily for 4 of those years-her head is sort of small for her body and I think her nasal passages may not be formed that well. The vet is right about dust and chemical smells causing it, even resins/glues in new plywood will do it.

In absence of other symptoms, I wouldn't worry about it. Just make sure that ammonia levels down low are not bad. Squat down, stir the shavings and smell to find out.

 

[CorinneP]

GOD BLESS YOU ! Sorry talking to your chicken, I hope it passes Quickly . and isnt a true problem ..

 

[robertgower53]

I have a 7 month old Easter Egger hen that started laying green eggs in February. 6 days ago she started sneezing and hasn't layed an egg since. She is still eating great, active, just not laying. Is this a factor with the sneezing? I think she has allergies, we live in a high allergy area in Tennessee.

 

[robertgower53]

Are the sneezing chickens still laying? I have one that sneezes and stopped laying when the sneezing started.

 

[Snortch]

I got home today from work and found that chicken dead in the nest box. I'd only had it for just over 2 weeks. The other one looks like it's fine. I bought them at a flea market, so who knows how healthy they were in the first place.

There are no shavings, I have a chicken tractor that I move to a new place in the yard each day.

 

[The_chicky_girl]

Wow, seems like everyone has sneezing chickens! Must be this weird weather.

I have a sneezing baby chocolate Orpington

 

[AnxiousChickenParent]

I have a sneezing baby chocolate Orpington

Is that her only symptom?