Sneezing and difficulty breathing

[hohbacgl]

Long story short, my friend gave me a baby chick that, I believe, has allergies. I have been to the vet with her and she was on antibiotics for 7 days but it didn't seem to help. He said her lungs are clear. She sneezes when outside in fresh air but can hardly breath when in her house with two other bantams. If I bring her in my house and use VetRX, she has no symptoms. I have a flock of large chickens but I have her and her small flock separated. Any suggestions on how to treat an allergy?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Long story short, my friend gave me a baby chick that, I believe, has allergies. I have been to the vet with her and she was on antibiotics for 7 days but it didn't seem to help. He said her lungs are clear. She sneezes when outside in fresh air but can hardly breath when in her house with two other bantams. If I bring her in my house and use VetRX, she has no symptoms. I have a flock of large chickens but I have her and her small flock separated. Any suggestions on how to treat an allergy?

Do you have photos of her housing?

If she has the most trouble when she is in the chicken housing, then I would first be looking at ventilation, bedding, if there is any mold/mildew and cleaning out the poop. Ammonia buildup in housing that is not properly ventilated can cause respiratory symptoms.

If environment can be ruled out, then she may have a respiratory illness like Infectious Bronchitis that does not respond to antibiotic treatment.

 

[hohbacgl]

They only go into their house at night and it is a medium size dog crate. I don't know how to post a picture. I have used pine shavings and/or straw, doesn't seem to make a difference which bedding. What confuses me is that she is totally clear when sitting on a towel with VetRX during the night and mostly clear when outside in her pen. She does sneeze constantly but at least she can breath. The vet has no answers and said allergies are not common in chickens and less common in chicks.

 

[hohbacgl]

She doesn't sneeze at night while on the towel with VetRX.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Heres's how to upload photos
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...res-using-the-upload-a-file-button-❅.1212519/

If you have a video of her breathing/sneezing that would be good too - upload videos to youtube or similar platform and provide us a link.

How old is the chicks?
Where is the dog crate located? (garage, basement, etc.)

 

[hohbacgl]

I believe the link to see her is https://photos.app.goo.gl/lBq1WPDnLBDBWUfN2. If you can't get it, I will try something else tonight. I don't have time right now to video.
At night, I bring them into the house, an extra bedroom. She starts the wheezing as soon as I get her into the crate. The other two are just fine and they have been with her since day 1. They are about 7 weeks old. I've had them for 3 weeks.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry but your photo link doesn't work

Do you have a coop and run ready for them outside? At 7weeks, I'm sure they would love to be out of the house doing chicken things all day

 

[hohbacgl]

Yes, they are outside all day. I still bring them in the house at night because I don't want to put them with my flock in the chicken house. My hens are free range. I have 5 acres and they cover most of it!