My RIR Rooster sneezes quite a bit.

[70monte]

I just got my RIR's last friday. I've noticed that my Rooster sneezed quite a bit. I have a couple of hens that do it occasionally. I've been reading on here that its a sign of some kind of respitory problem. Other than this, he acts completely normal and it doesn't seem to bother him. I've started giving him some antibiotics that go in the water to see if it clears up. Is there anything else I can do for him.? The guy I bought the chickens from said if the antibiotics don't work, he will come over and give him a shot of some kind. Do the antibiotics usually work for this symptom? Thanks.

Wayne

 

[Judy]

Most respiratory illnesses in chickens are viral, so antibiotics are of no use, actually can make them less able to fight off the virus, as they also kill the good flora in the gut. Give them some live culture plain yogurt to replace the flora. If the antibiotic is a tetracycline, the yogurt will inactivate it.

Read here for a good intro to the subject:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=9241

Lots more info on BYC and the web on these diseases.

 

[70monte]

Thank you for the response. I have already read the link you provided and the rooster doesn't have any of the other symptoms mentioned in the article other than a couple of times he had yellowish color poop. Most of the time it looks normal. All other aspects of his behavior are normal. He doesn't act like he is sick.

How long should he be given the yogurt and how much? Should I give it to all seven of my chickens just in case? Like I noted before, a couple of the hens will sneeze once in a great while but nothing regular. Thanks.

Wayne

 

[Judy]

Yogurt is good for them all, and most chickens love it. I'd give it every day for a week or so, and whatever you want after that. Maybe 1/4 or 1/2 cup for all 7 of them? I don't think the quantity is critical. The good germs will multiply in the gut.

You know, I wonder if the sneezing is just environmental. If it's hot and dry and a bit dusty where you are, that could do it. Or they could be reacting to a pollen.

Let's hope it's not a respiratory illness at all.

 

[70monte]

it definately has been hot and dry here lately and a few weeks ago my allergies were terrible but I don't know if chickens react to pollen counts like humans do. I'm hoping its not a respitory thing but everything I've read says that if they are sneezing that it is.

The guy I bought these chickens from had them in a huge fenced in area that was pretty dusty around the area the chicken house sat on. The rest of the area still had quite a bit of foilage left. The rooster was actually in the chicken house when we caught him. Thanks again.

Wayne

 

[Judy]

I don't know about the pollen thing, either, but I've read several posts on here about chickens sneezing from dust/dander/etc.

Good luck.

 

[70monte]

well, I tried giving the chickens some plain yogurt and they didn't really care for it. I actually had to feed them some chicken scratch over the bowl and let some fall in for them to eat any. Is plain yogurt the only acceptable flavor or can they have another kind? Thanks.

Wayne

 

[Judy]

The trouble with the others is they have sugar or artificial sweetener, not great for them, but certainly not lethal, either. Well, I don't know about the artificial stuff....

Mine are usually reluctant with any new treat, but if I push it, they usually accept. I tried watermelon the other day, and had to pinch off many pieces and hand feed them before they got the idea; then they pecked the rinds down to the skin.

I'll bet they would accept it spread around on some scrambled or hard boiled egg.

 

[shaughnf]

did you try a tissue?>maybe some, sudafed. vasaline on the chest, ya know......human poop