Sneezing hen

[Areolyn]

I haven't seen any dead birds around, usually our cats eat them by the time they fly to ground. There's definitely no mice or rodents around the coop, I quite literally live right next to it, because I live outside the main house. No birds are around the coop though, if its spread by bird poop or just by dead ones. Today I will be keeping a very keen eye on the surroundings and observing the rest of them. I didn't hear any coughing or sneezing last night,(but heard my sex link pecking at my rooster -_-).

 

[Eggcessive]

Yes, "Eggcessive" is right you need to call the lab to find out what to do (here in Utah your vet has to collect it). And although Exotic Newcastle Disease has been eradicated in the USA from domestic flocks since 2003, it does still occur in wild bird populations every once in a while. Wild birds can bring it in to domestic flocks. Since you live out in a rural area in Texas this could be a possibility. Have you noticed any wild birds dead lately?
I hope this information is helpful. Please feel free to send me a private message I would love to help more.


Thanks for you consideration.

Sincerely Colton Bennett
Summit County Utah 4-H Poultry club manager & teen leader.
10+ years of raising ducks, chickens, guineas, turkeys, and geese in 20+ breeds & 40+ varieties.
6+ years participant in the 4-H poultry program.
Putnam County Indiana 4-H Poultry club historian 2012.

There are 2 other milder forms of Newcastles that could be around. I haven't seen many people who have been tested reporting this. Many states are very eager to test for avian influenza, so some will actually test for a few things free. A lady from NewHampshire just got her flock tested at her home by the state vet for AI, and only charged $1.50 a chickens to test additionally for MG.

 

[Areolyn]

There are 2 other milder forms of Newcastles that could be around. I haven't seen many people who have been tested reporting this. Many states are very eager to test for avian influenza, so some will actually test for a few things free. A lady from NewHampshire just got her flock tested at her home by the state vet for AI, and only charged $1.50 a chickens to test additionally for MG.

Are there different strains, or is it just a more mild version?