Gurgling/sneezing? Please help!

[Jonessa]

I could only hear one snick or sneeze, and she looks pretty healthy. It's possible that she might have a virus such as infectious bronchitis, but they will usually sneeze fairly often. I would put her back with friends so they don't beat her up when she comes back.

Yes, and that took me at least 15 minutes to capture - so it definitely doesn't happen all that often.

 

[Jonessa]

It's like she has the chicken equivalent of a mild cold! She sounds a bit congested (the occasional rattling sound from her throat, and sometimes her nose sounds a bit stuffed up), and has that sneeze (or whatever it is) every so often, but she gets through the day just fine and is otherwise her normal self.
If it's something mild, will it just go away? And if it were something more serious, should I expect it to be worse by now? When I read about sick chickens, they all sound obviously sick: secretions from various places, lack-lustre feathers, lethargic, not eating/drinking, etc. She definitely doesn't fit that, but it just seems odd to me that she has had this congestion for as long as she has.

 

[LuvBantums]

I agree about not giving antibiotics unless you are sure it is something that needs the medication. If you give your chickens antibiotics just for a sneeze or rattle every time, then when the chicken really needs the medication, it will not do it's job. I always do a good look over from head to toe with my chickens. I also, try all natural products and keep a watch on them. I always check and see if they are eating, but getting skinny or if they are not drinking. There are a lot of options to do before ever using antibiotics. The other thing I start my chickens on when I see anything out of the ordinary is electrolyte/vitamin water. That helps them get the energy back and you will be able to check all of your chicken for anything you might find.

 

[RodNTN]

She looks very healthy to me One of my pullets did that once, turns out she had eaten too fast and got some feed stuck in the back of her throat, she did it for a while and it eventually cleared up.

 

[Jonessa]

I agree about not giving antibiotics unless you are sure it is something that needs the medication. If you give your chickens antibiotics just for a sneeze or rattle every time, then when the chicken really needs the medication, it will not do it's job. I always do a good look over from head to toe with my chickens. I also, try all natural products and keep a watch on them. I always check and see if they are eating, but getting skinny or if they are not drinking. There are a lot of options to do before ever using antibiotics. The other thing I start my chickens on when I see anything out of the ordinary is electrolyte/vitamin water. That helps them get the energy back and you will be able to check all of your chicken for anything you might find.

I agree! I've been following the recommendations for poultry respiratory illness in the Animal Desk Reference: Essential Oils for Animals by Melissa Shelton, DVM. A drop of oregano oil per litre of drinking water, as well as a crushed garlic clove in the water; oregano oil in coconut oil on the bottoms of her feet and on her nostrils; and twice daily misting her with a blend of thieves/lavender/lemon mixed with water. I have also been offering her fresh basil and fresh oregano. Maybe I should go get some Poul-Vite for her as well.

 

[Jonessa]

She looks very healthy to me One of my pullets did that once, turns out she had eaten too fast and got some feed stuck in the back of her throat, she did it for a while and it eventually cleared up.

Lol! How long did it take till she was all better?

 

[RodNTN]

Just a day or two This might not be your problem, but my chickens often get feed and dirt in their noses and sneeze for maybe a day (if I knew something was in their nose I would certainly do my best to get it out ) But they usually sneeze it out

 

[Kiki]

You want see a picture of a sick chicken?
You girl looks great.
Don't over do anything and she should be just fine.
Sometimes people offer "too much" extras.....(does that make sense?)

 

[RodNTN]

That makes a lot of sense!

 

[Jonessa]

Thanks everyone for your comments! I guess I will put her back and see how things go. Praying that this really is just a minor thing that passes in good time!