sneezing hens

[aggiemae]

I read several threads on the subject but couldn't find much in the way of treatment.It was one hen on Friday, but now two are sneezing. They each sneezed several times in the 15 minutes I observed them. One is also shaking her head so I will treat her for ear mites tonight. All our hens are between 2-3 years old. We get 5 eggs a day from 7 hens same as usual.

My chicken yard is big, but it's pretty dusty and this is the first summer that the chickens have been confined,

Thanks for any advice.

 

[coleco]

Have your chickens ever been dewormed? Do they live on dirt? Are they having any trouble breathing or making new sounds? Do they still eat and drink?

 

[Eggcessive]

Head shaking along with sneezing can be symptoms of a respiratory disease. Chickens will shake their heads to loosen mucus plugs blocking their airway. I would also look for ear mites, though. I would try to improve ventilation in your coop, and decrease dust or dampness. Here is a good link about the common respiratory diseases such as infectious bronchitis, MG, ILT, coryza, and aspergillosis to compare your symptoms: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

 

[aggiemae]

Coop is well vented. the floor is covered with stall dry and scooped every 2nd day. They never go in except to lay and sleep.

The run is about 350 sq feet for up to 8 hens, but we currently have 6. They live on areas of dirt, hay and crushed rock.I we everything but the dusting spot down last night, No sneezing so far but it's early.

Their eyes are clear their breathing holes are dirty though not runny, of course, but the run is very dusty. They are eating and drinking normally. It's in the mid 80"s not hot form some of you but hotter then our hens are used too.

It's still as case of illness vs dust. my question is how to treat if it's a URI thing. I just had my hip replaced and can't get her to our vet.