sneezing and nasal discharge - should I worry? UPDATE: FULL RECOVERY!!

[technodoll]

No bubbles in the eyes here, just around the nostril... like blowing soap bubbles in the wind with a wand.

Do sick hens still lay eggs?

My sneezing girl gave me a nice big egg this morning, atchooing all the while. I checked her weight, skin condition and eyes and all seemed fine, she ate breakfast and follows me everywhere...

Only one nostril is leaking, is that weird?

Food and dirt sticks to it and clogs her up, I feel so bad poor girl.

I really hope she gets better... might help that today I found out that RATS are getting into the coop, stealing food and crapping there - SOOOO GROOSSSS!

DH and I installed rat traps and I can't wait to toss their snapped necks far into the field where the coyotes will get them, OMG I hate vermin! I had no idea my poor girls were subjected to so much - no wonder they had lice!!

 

[eggsrcool]

Ok, thanks for the update.

Yes sometimes sick hens still lay eggs- you'd have thought they would put their energy into getting better

I'm just going to have a look in a book, to see if it suggests any diseases.

eggsrcool

 

[technodoll]

eggsrcool, thanks a million for all your help and advice - it's SO appreciated!!

my sneezing girl is the smallest of the red sex links and lays the biggest eggs. She's my favorite girl by far, I really need to do good by her.

 

[eggsrcool]

Not a problem, glad to help.

I cant find the book at the moment

typical

In the mean time, I have found another book, which suggests that chickens DO get colds, very confusing :S

It says to dab their face with a sponge and warm water, and dose with a little olive oil. Worth a try?

eggsrcool

 

[PurpleChicken]

Review this page:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pwhjQ6Yng877iz_JNiCN1IQ

Spook's Chicken Cold Page:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=9241

Look up your state here for testing:
http://www.bah.state.mn.us/animals/poultry/exports.html

 

[technodoll]

You bet - I'll wash my girl's beak when I next go to the coop in an hour or so, and shine it a bit with olive oil.

Also a good time to check the giant rat traps... *shudder*

I've started adding fossil shell flour to their daily breakfasts in the hopes of improving their digestive tract health, plus some ACV in their drinking water - although not sure how much to add of either, would anyone know?

Thank you!

 

[eggsrcool]

Quote:
For ACV I think its one tablespoon per gallon

eggs

 

[Msbear]

ACV is always good to add to the water. I think many have suggested poly-vi-sol ... it's kinda like campho phenic?? or vicks. It will open the nasal pasages. You can rub it all over thier beak and nostrils.

And, yes, their immune systems can be compromised by infestation of blood sucking critters. It leaves them weaker, in need of nutrients and highly suseptible to sickness.

They def need vitamins and you could feed scrambled egg and yoguart mash (all mixed togeher with crumbles) to get them off to a good start. ...sounds like their diet is great. Im sure that is helping.

Good Luck!

 

[eggsrcool]

We can definetely rule out Infectious Bronchitis, which has similar symptoms to what your hen is showing, as it affects the oviduct, permanetely resulting in soft shelled eggs- which I presume your hen isn't laying- only hard shelled- if this makes any sense

eggsrcool

 

[Tailfeathers]

Quote:
Two quick things. First, getting birds straight from the hatchery is no guarantee you won't get sick birds. Many diseases can and are transmitted through the egg. It was reported last year that MM had a AE outbreak and there were a LOT of chicks arriving dead and dying afterwards.

Secondly, do you know where your "dealer" got his birds from? If it was a feedstore, they most likely got their chicks from a hatchery. Most "dealers" who have large quantities of birds get their chicks from hatcheries.

God Bless,