Nostril blockage

Jayson Pearce

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Please help as I can't identify what is wrong with my girls nose. I noticed it today so I'm not sure how long it's been there, certainly no longer than a couple of days. It's hard and I can't tell if it's a growth or something stuck. Please see photos attached.
Thanks
 

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Hi and welcome

Do you feed them a wet mash or fermented feed? That can sometimes dry out and cause a build up on and around the nares. I would either get a cotton bud (Q-tip) and dip it in warm water and try to gently soften it and remove it or get some tweezers and try to break it off or crush it with them, obviously being careful not to hurt the bird.
 
More than likely the blocked nostril is a build-up of feed and secretions. They can be as tough as concrete to get out, and many people think there is some sort of disease.
First you can take some hydrogen peroxide and use a few drops to soften the crust. Let that work for a few minutes to help soften. Then take a tool, such as an orange stick for manicures, plastic dental pick, or tweezers, and try to dig the crust out. Then repeat. If you cannot get it all out at first, try again the next day. It can take several attempts to get it cleaned out. There is a good article on BrownEggBlueEgg called "how to treat a plugged nares."
 
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Thank you for your replies. I'm a bit nervous to try that but I'll give it a go all the same. What can I do to stop this happening? I feed them layers pellets.
 
It really can take some digging. If you Google "blocked nostril in chickens," you can read many similar posts since this has been a common complaint here on BYC. I would just calmly get her off the roost at night, and work on her when she is sleepy. Hold her on your lap, work a little, and if you have a second pair of hands, it might help. Just do a little, stop, and try again the next day. There is not really a need to strees her, and it should not be painful. Of course some chickens will scream and flap if you just look at them when holding them.
 

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