Sneezing chickens with no other symptoms....need some guidance

[mjdavenport25]

Hello all. This is our first year with chickens and we have had pretty good luck so far. We started with 27 4H sex links with one loss the second day. We got them all in March. As they outgrew their broader and moved outside, we added 4 EE from the local feed store. All were kept in a pen with large spacious coop attached. We then added a total of 7 turkeys in another pen, 6 silkies in another, 2 EE and 8 lavender Ameraucana in another pen, and 12 ducks in the pond. All have been healthy until the worst heat of our Tennessee summer right after the 4H show when we had one show Neuro type symptoms and had to put her down after the medications from the vet didn't help and she continued to worsen. We had a small bout with worms and seem to have that managed. All were healthy despite the cold rainy weather we have been having until Christmas eve when I noticed one hen standing in the mucky mess in the pen (our property holds water several days after rain and adjoining property is very swampy/marshy) and looking very lethargic but still eating and drinking she was found dead Christmas morning in the nesting box. No other birds have shown any symptoms. Last night when I was feeding (rather then getting up in the cold to do it this morning before work) I noticed that through the whole flock I kept hearing random sneezes. I had heard the sound before but thought it was scuffling between the pecking order until I saw it happen. Then I realized I have been hearing from some in all the pens (not ducks or turkeys) for months now but never as frequent as yesterday. All are healthy and moving actively. They eat and drink well and lay normally. Egg production hasn't hardly slowed since the days shortened and cold crept in. It's been in the 20's-40's for over a week now and we had some flooding last week so it is just cold, muddy, and miserably wet. Is this something I should be concerned with? Is this normal? Any help and advise would be greatly welcomed and appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Occasional sneezes are normal, it generally happens when they get feed caught in their throat. You could grab one and hold it close to listen for any wheezing or rattling which would signify a respiratory problem. Keep your birds well ventilated. Fresh air is important for chickens.

 

[mjdavenport25]

Occasional sneezes are normal, it generally happens when they get feed caught in their throat. You could grab one and hold it close to listen for any wheezing or rattling which would signify a respiratory problem. Keep your birds well ventilated. Fresh air is important for chickens.

I will try in the morning when I get home. Thank you. I don't think the ventilation is an issue. None are fully enclosed and all have access to fresh air and sunshine. I appreciate you taking the time to respond.