Sneezing Chicks

[Jens8chicks]

Stiggy thanks for the reassurance. I actually was doing it when you messaged me. Heading to store shortly for the antibiotics. Have my chicks in a confind area while it dries out. Will probably do it one more time in a week to reassure all the sick germs are cleared up.

 

[Stiggy]

Make sure you give them he antibiotic for 10-14 days. 7 days is usually not long enough as you want to ensure the sickness is completely gone rather than risk it coming back stronger and mutated

 

[Eggcessive]

As I posted earlier about my sneezing chick. It is day three sneezing slowed (was sneezing about every 5 min now sat down there for an hour while cleaning up run after mess snack day sneezed twice) but not completely gone. Should I get the antibiotics or give it one more day? I was also thinking should I do a major diluted bleach clean down of the hen house because they had the cold? Have had my chicks for a month now and a few already had a cold. First flock not sure what I should do to prevent them from getting it again. Chicks aren't laying yet but was told eggs will be bad cause they may of had MG (not sure what that is). Any info is helpful.

It still sounds as though they may be suffering from mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG or CRD) or infectious bronchitis (IB.) MG eggs are fine, it's just that MG is a carrier disease, and may be transmitted to chicks through the egg, so you wouldn't want to sell hatching eggs, unless you find out if they are carriers. Antibiotics probably wouldn't hurt, especially if it is MG. Getting a sick chick tested, or sacrificing one chick to the state vet for a necropsy would tell you what they have. Testing may be easier. Necropsies are free in CA at UC Davis, and shipping is all that you have to pay. Here is a link on how to do that: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/799747/how-to-send-a-bird-for-a-necropsy-pictures
Here is a good link to read about the diseases: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

 

[Jens8chicks]

Thanks everyone for your advice. I am a new chicken owner so some of your abbreviations i am not familiar with. I know the East County Feed and Supply store are not vets but they told me that it is not MG and he said he has never heard of MG but there is MD. He said that because it is just sneezing and no wheezing no fatigue and no discharge and is eating drinking and poop is fine he thinks it is just a cold. Probably due to her adjusting to her new home. Tomorrow will be a month. Again i am not sure. I am not really interested in hatching eggs or even saleing fertilized eggs I hope i don't have any roosters. So I don't really think it is necessary to sacrifice one of my chicks either. If for some reason one passes then i will take your advice and do the necropsy. Thanks again everyone and i will keep everyone updated on my sick chicks. Wish me luck they all will be fine.

 

[seminolewind]

If there is no eye or facial swelling, chest rattles or gurgling, or thick nasal discharge, then it could be a virus called infectious bronchitis or a mild case of MG. I might try the antibiotic, either oxytetracycline in the water or Tylan, and treat them to prevent any secondary infections. Just be aware that they may be carriers from now on, and you shouldn't sell or give away chickens or eggs. Also, make sure that you have as much ventilation in your coop as possible, no moisture where mold can grow, no ammonia from droppings, and no dust.

Egg, I agree with all your possibilities, but with only one sneezing, would you think nothing wrong is a big possibility?

I always think about my one hen who used to sneeze continuously at snack time, LOL

 

[casportpony]

I noticed one has some discharge by nose, Anyone please give me a heads up what to do?

You might be able to drive two hours north to the UC Davis lab in San bernadino and have them draw some blood, do a nasal swab and have the samples tested. Tests would be cheap, just call and ask if they can do it.

-Kathy

 

[Nana Ton-Ton]

How are the chickens now? Did the antibiotic help? I have a sneezing young cockerel that I'm worried about.