Should I be concerned? Sneezing & coughing

[Bugmom16]

We acquired 15 new chickens from another farm. The farm was spotless and had lots of different fowl - peacocks, geese, chickens, gunieas and quail. But the birds have been sneezing and coughing on and off for the last 3 weeks. We have dewormed and been treating with VetRX. They have been eating great and drinking fine. Everyone has clean eyes and noses. We don't have a vet to take this flock to. What do you think this is?

 

[dawg53]

Normally with respiratory diseases there are watery or bubbly eyes, swollen face and sometimes mucus from nares.
Were the birds sneezing and coughing at the farm before you took them home, or did they start after you got home?
Did you already have chickens on your property prior to bringing in the new birds from the farm?
Have you heard any wheezing or seen head shaking?

There might be something in the environment causing the symptoms you're seeing; mold/fungus might be a problem. Look inside the coop for mold.
Pesticides, pollen, feed dust, dust bathing can all be causes of symptoms.

 

[Bugmom16]

@dawg53 When we were driving home we heard some coughing/sneezing. We contacted the previous owners and they said they had never heard that from the chickens before. They wondered if it was stress from the move.

We do have more chickens in another coop isolated from these chickens. We have had a lot of rain recently with some colder days.

Haven't really heard wheezing some head shaking/scratching. No bubbly eyes, but one chicken last night had a swollen eye - only on the right side.

 

[dawg53]

Respiratory diseases "show themselves" during stress. Moving chickens from one location to another definitely stresses chickens. I now believe that they have a respiratory disease, possibly a mild strain of Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (MG.)
It would be best to submit your sickest bird for necropsy to find out exactly what disease it is. You can contact your local extension office and find out how to submit a bird for testing.

You'll have to maintain a closed flock if you decide to keep the new birds.
Remember, respiratory diseases can be carried on your person, including but not limited to clothing, shoes, tires on your vehicle, etc...
There cant be selling or giving away eggs for hatching.
It will be a tough job not infecting your original flock, but can be done if you practice strict biosecurity.