Sneezing chickens but I'm leaving town.

[bhawk-23]

Edit to add:
**The dutch has been in the flock since December so I'm not thinking it's her.

Also, I did put a bale of hay down before the winter storm for them to rummage through. Sneezing all started after the storm and hay. But Dominique's just sounds different. **

Hello, I have posted on here before about a tiny dutch bantam who always sneezes. None of the other flock members caught it so I've just left her with the flock.

Fast forward to the winter storm and we had and a full sized hen start sneezing. Hers sound like normal sneezes like the dutch girl and is still laying, eating drinking etc.

Now another girl started sneezing but her's is a bit different. I'll attach a video. She is in great spirits running after me constantly, eating drinking and all the usuals.

My issue is, I'm leaving town on Saturday and will only have someone checking on them Saturday evening and Sunday evening and I'll be home Monday.

Should I keep her in the house? Should I just treat the whole flock? Could it be the weather since she looks great? It's been going on for nearly a week but it is getting more. But I also cleaned out damp hay this week that they are insisting to still rummage through.

Any and all thoughts appreciated!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Also, I did put a bale of hay down before the winter storm for them to rummage through. Sneezing all started after the storm and hay.

Dusty hay. Hay can mold too.
Provide more ventilation, when you get back, remove the hay.
Straw may be better, though it can be dust too.

If she has no other symptoms, I would not treat with medications, nor would I bring her in.

 

[bhawk-23]

Dusty hay. Hay can mold too.
Provide more ventilation, when you get back, remove the hay.
Straw may be better, though it can be dust too.

If she has no other symptoms, I would not treat with medications, nor would I bring her in.

Thank you. I am on the verge of cancelling our trip but it's my son's hockey tournament in Wisconsin Dells and I really do not want to let him, his friend who is coming with us and their tem down. On top of the money lost for hotel.

She laid an egg today and is following me around, even in the rain, to harass me for treats. I am waiting for the rain to lighten up a bit before laying down the new dry hay. It is outside, under an awning, but I'm guessing they still kick up dust when they are scratching for their food in it. Good to know about the straw. I thought hay may be better but I was wrong. Lol

Thanks again!

 

[bhawk-23]

Dusty hay. Hay can mold too.
Provide more ventilation, when you get back, remove the hay.
Straw may be better, though it can be dust too.

If she has no other symptoms, I would not treat with medications, nor would I bring her in.

We are back from the weekend and after observing the flock the sneezing girls are the same with one starting the congested sounding sneeze. If it's spreading it's super slow starting with just a sneeze here and there. No other symptoms. No nasal discharge, watery eyes, lethargy, nothing.
Actually, our egg production is going up with 2 gals laying their first eggs yesterday after taking the winter off. Eggs all look good. They are still eating, super active, thrilled to be out free ranging again with the snow melted and just overall seem ok. Poop looks normal also.

The rooster, who was fine before I left and stayed inside all weekend, now has a congested sounding sneeze. He had a pan of shavings under his roost but the bottom of his cage was layered with towels and puppy pee pads so shouldn't have been dusty. I'll attach a video of him on my lap last night. Sorry for the flashing light, we watch a show together while he eats his egg and grooms before being put up to sleep. I absolutely adore this ugly rooster of mine I really hope this video can help put my mind at ease. I am worried. But with increasing egg production and happy, active chickens my logic says they *should* be ok.

 

[Myrshine]

Sounds more like a cough rather than a sneeze.

 

[Tonyroo]

If you did have moldy hay, it doesn't take long for the spores to spread all over your bedding and other objects. Keep that in mind.

 

[bhawk-23]

Sounds more like a cough rather than a sneeze.

Hmmm.....so most are definitely sneezing, that high pitched squeak and no congestion. But Peepers is the worst. There is one pullet who has sounded raspy for a week with no decline. He was in a cage all weekend and did not eat as much as normal and I'm sure stressed. Maybe that weakened him just enough that he is no longer fighting it?

 

[bhawk-23]

If you did have moldy hay, it doesn't take long for the spores to spread all over your bedding and other objects. Keep that in mind.

I wonder if his congestion and cough is proof that they are fighting a virus? He seemed fine before coming in and is worse after being away from any possible mold or dust?

 

[bhawk-23]

I should add that it's only the pullets and Peepers being affected. The older hens who have been though 1 winter already are not sneezing. I have no clue but now I am worried that if his turned into a cough it could be worse than I thought. I did order those antibiotics last night to have on hand since I noticed he was raspy. It's the one that I see suggested and purchased from a link that was on another thread.

 

[Tonyroo]

Mold spores are sticky, that's why they cling to everything. If you walk into an enclosed area while the spores are in the air you'll be covered in it without knowing.