Sneezing and Runny Nose

[Mylied]

I have six, almost 7 week old white leghorns (or mix of that) that have been sneezing since I first brought them home. It's hard to tell them apart, but it's at least 3 out of the 6 sneezing. I didn't think much of it as they didn't get any sicker and they are all growing normally. Sometimes I notice a runny nose as well. After looking around, I see this can mean something more serious. What I would like to know is the medication needed and possibly the dosage? They are pets and I will not be getting any more chickens any time soon, so there's no reason to cull them. I just want the sneezing to stop if possible. As far as I can tell their ears are normal. This is my first time with chickens, so sometimes I realize I really have no clue.

Here's some info on them. I got them from Tractor Supply, raised them in a brooder for 4 weeks and then transfered them to the coop with a heat lamp. The lamp is still in it and on at night since it's still fairly cold. I use non-medicated chick starter/grower (used medicated for the first 5 weeks, with them going out during the day starting at 1 week) and well water. I use pine wood chips in their coop. There's still grass on the ground in the run, so there's nothing covering that. The coop is 8'X4' and the run is 8'X16'. Not sure what else to tell you. Thanks for any help!

 

[oliv]

as you know, sneezing and runny nose can mean anything from too many spores in the hay too your flock could drop dead any second, the only way to tell really is a vet visit and pathology however, baytrill and psitavet (from vetafarm) (the active ingrediant is common and you could probably find a similar thing in your own country) are quite good for respiatory infections and will clear most of them up, i would recommend the vet visit without the pathology, take a chicken shouldnt cost much more than a consultation. If you do decide to treat yourself, i used psitavet for the same symptoms ( the path on mine was common and can be benign untill it makes your chickens head swell arrgh) but make sure you complete a whole course, and then some to wipe it out completely. at LEAST two weeks or duration your vet advises,

 

[oliv]

good luck

 

[Mylied]

Thanks Oliv. I don't think they're going to drop dead since it's been going on for weeks. I'll see about finding a vet.

 

[oliv]

no, by the sounds of it neither do I but there are a number of things that are common but can end up being chronic later or exhibit funky (head swelling ) symptoms, some that will be fine for your older birds and fatal to any chicks you have in the future, or newbies you introduce.. the list goes on. in my case, i introduced some birds to my flock that had 'grown out of ' a sickness that was killing chicks at a breeders, other than the very occassional sneeze and nose drip all were bright and healthy, a week later and all of my other (20 ) chickens were sneezing. i freaked out and put everyone on a course of psitavet for two weeks. now not a sneeze insight... but it could have been worse, and even knowing all that i do i was still stupid.. just crazy. :} the vet visit is a good idea and the very best to you and your chickens.

 

[thesqurim]

im new to the whole chick thing too but two of my chicks looked alot alike at first and i just put a mark on there foot with a marker and that helped alot so im not sure if that will help but if your wanting to tell them apart hopfully that helps

 

[Mylied]

Thanks Oliv. Just waiting for some more money to call around to vets. They are still all acting fine, with no weird symptoms.

Thesqurim- I'm not too worried about telling them apart just yet, but that's a great idea if it comes down to needing to know who is who. Thanks!