Need Advice On a Sick Rooster

[weebles&wobblesmom]

I have a barred rock rooster that I believe is sick. He sounds like he's sneezing. I don't see any discharge from his nose or anything, but he is making this sound that I am assuming is a sneeze. Can anyone recommend an antibiotic that I can use? I figure I will just put it the water for all of them just to be safe. I work at a farm store and one of the antibiotics we have says NOT to use on layers. None of my chickens are old enough to lay yet but I want to make sure I can give them something and it wont hurt the eggs when they do start laying.

 

[dawg53]

weebles&wobblesmom :

I have a barred rock rooster that I believe is sick. He sounds like he's sneezing. I don't see any discharge from his nose or anything, but he is making this sound that I am assuming is a sneeze. Can anyone recommend an antibiotic that I can use? I figure I will just put it the water for all of them just to be safe. I work at a farm store and one of the antibiotics we have says NOT to use on layers. None of my chickens are old enough to lay yet but I want to make sure I can give them something and it wont hurt the eggs when they do start laying.

Check and see if it's something environmental first before you use antibiotics. Check his nostrils to see if they are clear and open, feed dust can cause sneezing, dirt/debris, pollen, ammonia fumes in soiled bedding, pesticides on the lawn, smoke etc....​

 

[weebles&wobblesmom]

Thanks. I will check everything. This bag of feed does seem a little dustier than normal & that's about when he started sneezing is when I fed them. I usually pour the feed in the bowls right in the run, maybe I'll pull the bowls out and fill them first to see if maybe that helps any.

Thank you again. This being my first time with chickens and ducks, I get nervous when something changes.

 

[Cetawin]

For future reference...never run for antibiotics when you do not know what you are treating....certain antibiotics work for certain things and others work for other things. Secondly, and most importantly, chickens will sneeze for a variety of reasons, none of which are illness. For example,

water in their nose, dust, pollen, chemicals, bedding changes, weather changes, windy days etc etc....

Normally a sneeze caused from illness will be accompanied by other symptoms such as nasal blockage or discharge, wheezing or urgling sounds when breathing, color changes in face, body temperature changes, changes in appetite or thirst, changes in poo in either consistentency or color....to name a few.

Chickens hide illness and usually by the time you see signs, they are pretty sick so pay attention to them daily and their normal behavior and so forth....most likely you will catch on that someone is truly sick.


Good luck with you boy

 

[weebles&wobblesmom]

Thank you. I know birds of all kinds hide illness very well. I have a parrot too. I did check his nose and mouth for any discharge the very first time I heard him and saw nothing. He is still eating and drinking normally, plus his coloring still looks good.
We have had some cool nights and VERY hot days here lately so I was actually thinking about that causing it, but with this being my first time having chickens, I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something.

I have had training as an animal care specialist as well as worked in a vet clinic but never delt with birds. I think the training and love of animals has made it so I pay more attention to things when they are not "normal". maybe too much so and I get nervous too quickly.

That's why I love this site. Everyone on here has been so great when I have questions or concerns and it helps me relax again.

Thanks again.