Sneezing 1 Week Old Cornish Rocks

[RoseyBK]

Last year I was given 2 cornish rocks that were labeled as laying hens. We figured out pretty quickly they weren't and learned how to process them. They both developed a sneeze about a week in with no other symptoms. Someone told me it was from dust from the food so I didn't worry too much. We found the overall experience a good one, so this year I got 10 more. They are indoors and not exposed to my laying hens. Probably 8-10 days old. They just started sneezing today and it's frequent. Could it be dust from eating like they do, or are they sick? No other symptoms, eating, drinking, running around. If they are sick, what do I do?

 

[Tre3hugger]

What kind of bedding do you use? What kind of food? How well is the coop ventilated? The handful of times I have raised Cornish X I have not experienced sneezing.

 

[RoseyBK]

They are on Koop Clean right now because that's what I had onhand for my laying flock. They are on medicated crumble (18%, I realize now it should be higher protein), and are in a big Rubbermaid bin with screen on top.

 

[iwltfum]

Mine sneeze all the time literally from the day I get them until they get butchered out. I feed out mash and I have always attributed it to the powderiness of the mash vs pellets or crumbles. It happens every single batch I raise - years ago it worried me, but now I'm used to it.

 

[Tre3hugger]

Mine sneeze all the time literally from the day I get them until they get butchered out. I feed out mash and I have always attributed it to the powderiness of the mash vs pellets or crumbles. It happens every single batch I raise - years ago it worried me, but now I'm used to it.

Good to know! I feed crumble so that does indeed seem to be a variable.

ETA: hmm but the OP feeds crumble also

 

[iwltfum]

Good to know! I feed crumble so that does indeed seem to be a variable.

ETA: hmm but the OP feeds crumble also

I saw that after the fact. I feel like it could come from bedding or feathering dust as well. I generally look to other signs of problems for concerns about health than sneezing. Just doesn't seem to be a determining factor.

 

[RoseyBK]

Thanks! They look and are acting healthy, so I'll just go with dust and keep an eye on them.