Plugged nostril treatment?

[FluffyBottomBantams]

I have a porcelain d’Uccle hen who has plugged nostrils. She’s had them for quite a bit, maybe since the beginning of winter? But she’s had them before and they went away on their own. This time they aren’t going away however, and now she seems to be having negative effects from it. She’s breathing rapidly and heavier but no coughing, sneezing, or discharge. She’s eating and drinking on her own but not well so I’ve been assisting her. Regardless of whether the plugged nostrils are the cause of this they need to go. None of the other flock members have this or have had this in the past. I know silkies have trouble with clogged nostrils, so I would greatly appreciate any tips or ways to go about removing them.
Thank you so much In advance!!

~FluffyBottomBantams

 

[dawg53]

Try using an eyedropperful of warm water, one drop to each nostril to soften the debris. Let it soak for awhile, then try using a toothpick to gently remove the debris. Dont force it, add more warm water from the eyedropper as necessary to loosen it up.
I suspect that she may have inhaled feed dust or feed particles to clog it up, perhaps from dust bathing as well. You can wrap her in a towel with her head exposed in order to remove the debris. Take your time and have patience, dont dig in deep or there will be big problems.

 

[FluffyBottomBantams]

Thank you so much I will have to give that a try! Definitely Sounds like a two person job.
It won’t be easy as this particular d’Uccle is a sweetheart but gets pinchy if you mess with her face ( comes in handy when you’re trying to trim her beak for show)

Our coop is as dusty as the average coop I think and it’s only ever her that has issues. Could is be some sort of genetic thing with her nostrils? She didn’t come from the most reputable breeder.

 

[dawg53]

I dont believe it's genetic at all. Some birds are just "dirtier" than others. One of my Light Brahma's is a pig pen for sure. She's as healthy as can be otherwise.

 

[Eggcessive]

Does she eat wet or fermented feed, or have any nasal drainage that might make it easier for food to stick to her nostril? You may also us a QTip soaked in hydrogen peroxide applied to the nostril for a couple of minutes to help soften the blockage. Some of these blockages may turn into a concrete-like substance. Be careful to only use a wooden toothpick and be gentle, since metal could damage the nasal opening. Here is a good link about it:
https://www.browneggblueegg.com/Article/PluggedNare/PluggedNare.html

 

[FluffyBottomBantams]

She just eats dry pellet food mixed in with cracked corn mealworms and whatever else she can find outside. She tends to drench her entire face when she drinks she that’s a possibility. She is missing a good number of toenails, would that inhibit her ability to scratch any debris off her face? We just looked at her nostrils and they don’t look clear by any means but they aren’t sealed shut anymore..could it have moved farther down her nasal passage ? (You can really tell I know a lot about chicken noses here )

 

[FluffyBottomBantams]

And thank you for the help so far!!

 

[Eggcessive]

I would just keep at it, especially with using saline (salt water, 1/4 tsp of salt in 8 ounces of water.) It can take several attempts at cleaning them out. If she accidentally inhales a few drops of saline, it won’t hurt, so just use the peroxide if it is hard to soften, and only a drop.

 

[FluffyBottomBantams]

Okay sounds like I’ll have to give that a try this afternoonShe seems to be breathing less heavily this morning