Sneezing chickens

[laboroflove]

I have had one hen the last couple days sneezing. Acting fine otherwise but did have a messy rear. Now today when I went to feed I heard multiple sneezing. Granted we have had warm weather and now cold again. Could it be something requiring antibiotics? If so, which one and how much? These are standard size hens. Eating and drinking fine as well, scratching, active, and also still laying.

I was going to call the vet tomorrow but figured I would ask here just in case I had the right antibiotics on hand already and can go ahead and start treatment right away.

 

[Purelychicks]

I have had one hen the last couple days sneezing. Acting fine otherwise but did have a messy rear. Now today when I went to feed I heard multiple sneezing. Granted we have had warm weather and now cold again. Could it be something requiring antibiotics? If so, which one and how much? These are standard size hens. Eating and drinking fine as well, scratching, active, and also still laying.

I was going to call the vet tomorrow but figured I would ask here just in case I had the right antibiotics on hand already and can go ahead and start treatment right away.

Is there anything new in the coop? Fresh bedding, dusty coop, heat lamp, etc?

 

[laboroflove]

Is there anything new in the coop? Fresh bedding, dusty coop, heat lamp, etc?

No, nothing new that would have triggered the sneezing. I did add a mirror but the sneezing was already present with the one hen.

 

[Purelychicks]

No, nothing new that would have triggered the sneezing. I did add a mirror but the sneezing was already present with the one hen.

Is it possible it’s just allergies from trees and pollen?

 

[Purelychicks]

No, nothing new that would have triggered the sneezing. I did add a mirror but the sneezing was already present with the one hen.

Or do you suspect a illness?

 

[laboroflove]

I’m not really sure what to expect. Do chickens have allergies? I was thinking it was something possibly going around since it started with one hen and now more are sneezing.

 

[Purelychicks]

I’m not really sure what to expect. Do chickens have allergies? I was thinking it was something possibly going around since it started with one hen and now more are sneezing.

possibly, but do you think it could be an infection? You can treat it with poultry antibiotics if so.. or some sort of lung infection? If you open her mouth can you see any inflamed tissue, or anything unusual looking?

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Chickens have very sensitive respiratory systems. I have had a sneezing virus go through my flock thanks to some birds I brought home. Doesn't sound like you've had any changes like that but its possible for wild birds to bring in disease as well. If its just sneezing I wouldn't worry about it but keep an eye on her for other symptoms

 

[laboroflove]

possibly, but do you think it could be an infection? You can treat it with poultry antibiotics if so.. or some sort of lung infection? If you open her mouth can you see any inflamed tissue, or anything unusual looking?

I haven’t seen any inflammation. I just looked in each birds beak the other day.

 

[laboroflove]

Chickens have very sensitive respiratory systems. I have had a sneezing virus go through my flock thanks to some birds I brought home. Doesn't sound like you've had any changes like that but its possible for wild birds to bring in disease as well. If its just sneezing I wouldn't worry about it but keep an eye on her for other symptoms

I will continue keeping an eye on them. I just thought chickens didn’t get colds.

And no, no new birds either. Although I do have chicks coming in from a hatchery in a month. That’s one reason why I was wanting to go ahead and knock it out whatever it was.