Sneezing chickens but I'm leaving town.

[Eggcessive]

If it is not an environmental issue, I think that you could be dealing with infectious bronchitis. Sneezing is the biggest symptom, and when my chickens had it, I found wrinkled egg shells once or twice. IB virus is the most common respiratory disease, and it has to run it’s course over about a month. Most chickens survive it, but can have reproductive problems in the future. They remain carriers for 5 months up to one year, and it tends to spread through the flock over weeks to months. Make sure that bedding is clean and dry, prevent water spills, and maintain good overhead ventilation. If you do see any bubbles or foam in an eye, or more serious symptoms, Tylosin can help. But antibiotics will not help if it is a virus.

 

[Tonyroo]

But it's good you some antibiotics .

 

[bhawk-23]

@Eggcessive
I was researching on here and read about the infectious bronchitis. That is why I posted the video, I was really hoping to rule that out. Do you know how it could have infected my flock? I also read to not hatch any eggs nor add to your flock for at least 1 year. I was also confused on whether they were lifetime carriers or it cleared their system after a year. And reproduction issues down the road? Yikes!

I will examine the nose and eyes closer when I bring one of the girls in for a bath tonight. She has an issue with poop sticking to her extremely fluffy bum (not runny poo). She is one that has been affected and hopefully will give me a better picture. She does not like to be touched so

@Tonyroo
I have bad mold allergies so I knew there was mold in their outside run after the wet winter when I was doing a full spring cleanout last year. It really flared up my allergies. I'm vigilant in keeping that area raked to keep it dry and do not cover with wood chips anymore. It's helped up until now, which it is just too wet in general to keep any ground dry currently. I keep raking it up though in hopes of preventing any mold.

 

[Eggcessive]

I only heard sneezing in your video, and since it affecting a few of your chickens, IB comes to mind. My chickens probably got it from wild birds eating and drinking from feeders in my yard. If you should lose any bird, I would have your state vet do a necropsy which involves testing usually. It is hard to know exactly what they have without testing a sick bird or a necropsy, but infectious bronchitis is the most common and mildest of respiratory diseases. Yes, they can be carriers for up to a year, while some sources say 5 months. This link is good for pointing out the common symptoms of most of the respiratory diseases:
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ps044

 

[bhawk-23]

I only heard sneezing in your video, and since it affecting a few of your chickens, IB comes to mind. My chickens probably got it from wild birds eating and drinking from feeders in my yard. If you should lose any bird, I would have your state vet do a necropsy which involves testing usually. It is hard to know exactly what they have without testing a sick bird or a necropsy, but infectious bronchitis is the most common and mildest of respiratory diseases. Yes, they can be carriers for up to a year, while some sources say 5 months. This link is good for pointing out the common symptoms of most of the respiratory diseases:
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ps044

I read through that earlier and IB is the only one that sounded likely. Helped ease my mind but decided to post the video still to get others opinions. Good to know about the sneezing, I will look up more videos on what a cough sounds like so I can be informed and have a better understanding between the two sounds. I will have the tylin(?) on hand this week, just in case. And I just checked in on a local group and found out that the avian flu watch area has been extended to my region. Sheesh, I wish I could just be that person that doesn't freak out over every sound or behavior change in my animals. Because then the ADHD hyper focus kicks in and anything that needs to actually be done is tossed aside until I'm sufficiently satisfied I've learned everything to either rule out or treat the issue. Crap, let the obsession begin

 

[Eggcessive]

Are your chickens free ranging or are they kept in a covered coop and run? It helps to be aware of symptoms of AI in areas where it is seen, but those symptoms are much more severe than sneezing and mild congestion. Here is a list of symptoms:
https://extension.umn.edu/poultry-health/avian-influenza-basics-urban-and-backyard-poultry-owners

 

[bhawk-23]

Are your chickens free ranging or are they kept in a covered coop and run? It helps to be aware of symptoms of AI in areas where it is seen, but those symptoms are much more severe than sneezing and mild congestion. Here is a list of symptoms:
https://extension.umn.edu/poultry-health/avian-influenza-basics-urban-and-backyard-poultry-owners

Free range. Sometimes they are contained to a smaller fenced area for more hawk protection, but essentially still free ranging with the wild birds and animals.

https://www.wfyi.org/news/articles/state-officials-bird-flu-found-at-4th-indiana-turkey-farm

That county is 136 miles driving, but much closer when considering "as the crows fly" distance from me.

 

[Tonyroo]

Stay aware of the movement of AI, so your not over whelmed with panic. Also helps to know the early symptoms from it.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

If it is not an environmental issue, I think that you could be dealing with infectious bronchitis. Sneezing is the biggest symptom, and when my chickens had it, I found wrinkled egg shells once or twice. IB virus is the most common respiratory disease, and it has to run it’s course over about a month. Most chickens survive it, but can have reproductive problems in the future. They remain carriers for 5 months up to one year, and it tends to spread through the flock over weeks to months. Make sure that bedding is clean and dry, prevent water spills, and maintain good overhead ventilation. If you do see any bubbles or foam in an eye, or more serious symptoms, Tylosin can help. But antibiotics will not help if it is a virus.

I only heard sneezing in your video, and since it affecting a few of your chickens, IB comes to mind. My chickens probably got it from wild birds eating and drinking from feeders in my yard. If you should lose any bird, I would have your state vet do a necropsy which involves testing usually. It is hard to know exactly what they have without testing a sick bird or a necropsy, but infectious bronchitis is the most common and mildest of respiratory diseases. Yes, they can be carriers for up to a year, while some sources say 5 months. This link is good for pointing out the common symptoms of most of the respiratory diseases:
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ps044

I agree.

 

[bhawk-23]

Peepers and Lucille have some clear nasal discharge. His congestion is not worsening and he is eating, drinking and otherwise fine. Lucille is slightly worse but also eating, drinking, laying and acting normal. Those are the only 2 I can see any nasal discharge. She does scratch at her head some so I wasn't sure if that meant she was uncomfortable or trying to dislodge mucus or something?

Dominique has the congested sounding sneeze but I cannot see any drainage and she is acting normal also.

A few others are sneezing. The normal high pitched sneeze, just more often than before.

About 1/3 of my flock are having these symptoms.

The whole flock is up eating, drinking, foraging and begging for mealworms as they normally do. Outside of the sneezing you wouldn't know anything was wrong.

Still hold off on antibiotics for Peepers and Lucille?