Help! Coughing, Sneezing Flock!

[Heidi Plume]

Last night my husband & I noticed that one of our birds was breathing noisily. This morning a number of my girls are coughing & sneezing but otherwise are doing fine. I'm more concerned about my Delaware who is also lethargic & not interested in treats. Help!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi @Heidi Plume Welcome To BYC

How old are they?
How long have you had them?
Have you added any chickens to your flock in the last 30days?

Any signs of mucous, discharge from the eyes or facial swelling?

Coughing and sneezing is usually a sign of respiratory illness. There are several with similar symptoms, so it's hard to know which one you are dealing with unless you have some testing done. Mycoplasma, Infectious Bronchitis, Infectious Coryza and ILT are a few of the most common illnesses. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044
Antibiotics like injectable Tylan50 can be used to help with secondary infections. Most respiratory illnesses make birds carriers for life.

Look around and make sure there is no mold in the bedding, around feed/water stations and where they normally go during the day that could contribute to the coughing/sneezing. Clean up any excessive amounts of dropping in the coop and ensure there is proper ventilation.

Your Delaware - try to encourage her to drink. Once she is drinking then see if she will eat her normal feed. You can also entice her with some egg or tuna.

 

[chickens really]

Migrating Birds can carry that into your yard also....Respiratory is not always a death sentence ....I have ILT here....Have only lost one Hen....Best wishes....

 

[Heidi Plume]

Thank you both for the help. We have an appointment for tomorrow. In the meantime, have either of you tried vetrx? Agway recommended it.

 

[chickens really]

No....I never have....Stress brings out symptoms..Example I run heat all winter for my Birds...Never too warm as my water will freeze but it sure is not -28 in my coop...So colder nights a scare or any other stress is a trigger...

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have not tried VetRx, but don't see why you can't give it a try. Some say it's like Vicks Vapor Rub for chickens.

Hopefully your vet can give you some answers, please keep us posted.