Help! Chickens are sneezing!

[Mulemom]

I went out to check for eggs this morning (20 1/2 weeks, still no eggs!) and it looked like there had been some kind of scuffel in the coop last night. The water and the food had been tipped over and the shavings were all moved around. I took a quick headcount and everyone is present and accounted for. No one seems to have any injuries or issues like that, but a couple of the girls are sneezinng! I live in Northern CA and the nights are only getting down to around 50 degrees. Do they need a heat lamp? I have some Terramycin. Should I go ahead and put that in their water? I don't have the original packaging anymore. How much should I use per gallon? Help me please!

 

[kstaven]

Watch them for a day before you give them meds. Look to see if eyes are running or sinus discharge. It sounds like you may have had a night fright with the hens or their was a dominance feud. Either could have stirred up the bedding enough to raise serious dust and cause the sneezing.

 

[Mulemom]

Thanks Kstaven! That makes sense! I already put the terramycin in the water yesterday, but there has been no more sneezing. Should I change it back out or now that I've started it should I continue it for a few days anyway?

 

[kstaven]

Since you have started it I would continue for a full course. It will not hurt them. indescriminant, stops and starts with antibiotics helps increase the risk of antibiotic resistance.