Sneezing, runny nose

MightyMama · Jun 27, 2017

My 3 month old chicken has the sneezes. Her nose is also runny and it's stinky (is that normal??).

I'm not sure when it started, because I didn't know that's what a sneeze sounded like, but I'm willing to guess a couple days, but definitely yesterday and again today.

My 2 other hens are not showing any symptoms.

I started giving her poly-vi-sol last night (and again this morning). What else should I do? Do I wait to see if it will pass, or should I be aggressive with this? She had been sickly a couple weeks ago, but has since put on a lot of weight and is otherwise looking really good.

SonoranChick · Jun 27, 2017

Is her nose stinky, or is it her mouth and breath? Could be impacted crop or yeast crop- if you are familiar with the crop, is is swollen or hard, or enlarged? It is the on the right side of the chest, where they begin to process food. Food can get caught up in the crop and start to spoil, causing the smell.

MightyMama · Jun 28, 2017

I'm pretty sure it's her nose, not crop...but I will check again. She's still snotty and sneezy today. This is day 3 of it being noticeably bad

MightyMama · Jun 28, 2017

definitely not crop...it was nice and soft -she clearly had just drank water and it was full, I know I felt it harder earlier when I was checking her out, so it's emptying.

Her poop is a bit runny, no blood.

rosath · Jun 28, 2017

A newcommer in my flock had the exact same thing. Everything is pointing out to Coryza or MG...

I wish for the both of us that it's not Coryza at the very least.

I think you're supposed to quarantine the sick one from the others and disinfect everything in the coop! While you wait for symptoms to progress. And if its coryza you need to use Tylon 200

Wyorp Rock · Jun 28, 2017

@MightyMama can you take her to a vet or have some samples of the mucous tested?

Any photos?

Without testing there is no way to know for sure, but respiratory illness accompanied by a foul odor can be an indication of Infectious Coryza. Antitiotics can be used to treat secondary bacterial infections associated with respiratory illness, but won't cure the disease. Respiratory illnesses are contagious and even if a bird recovers it is considered a carrier for life. Any birds that have been exposed to the sick bird are carriers as well, even if they never show any symptoms.

Separate you sick bird, see that she is drinking and eating well. You can try treating with antibiotics. Most people use injectable Tylan50 which can be given orally or by injection. Dosage is 1 cc or ml per 5lbs of weight given 2x day for 5days. You need to weigh your chick to get the correct dosage.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

MightyMama · Jun 30, 2017

This whole chicken thing has been a nightmare...this is already so much more complicated than everyone makes it seem like. At this point, I'm wondering if I should just give up on my 3 surviving chickens and start over. I've been battling something or another for the last 8 weeks. I'm just feeling very defeated...what's the point in having your own chickens if they are always medicated...I can get store eggs of the same quality.

Wyorp Rock · Jul 1, 2017

MightyMama said:
This whole chicken thing has been a nightmare...this is already so much more complicated than everyone makes it seem like. At this point, I'm wondering if I should just give up on my 3 surviving chickens and start over. I've been battling something or another for the last 8 weeks. I'm just feeling very defeated...what's the point in having your own chickens if they are always medicated...I can get store eggs of the same quality.

I'm so sorry!

@MightyMama I tried to take quick glance at the troubles you have had over the last few weeks. I do see that you have been struggling. I hope we can help you figure this out.

Some chicks do seem to have more difficulties than others. There are so many factors, it's hard to pinpoint all the causes.

O.k. So if you don't know by now, you soon will - I'm very nosy and ask a lot of questions

sometimes there's a clue in the answers that may get us on the right track!

Can you post some photos or a video of the chick that is sneezing and has the runny nose?

Photos of your coop, run and set up would be helpful, along with what you use for bedding and feed.

Tell me again, what you treated them with - first you did Corid, then vitamins, then electrolytes, did you treat for lice/mites? Are they being given anything at the moment?

MightyMama · Jul 2, 2017

Can you post some photos or a video of the chick that is sneezing and has the runny nose? - Coming right up

Tell me again, what you treated them with - first you did Corid, then vitamins, then electrolytes, did you treat for lice/mites? Are they being given anything at the moment?

After Nugget died, all were treated with Corid, over 2 weeks. Started out with too low of a dose because the internet is confusing, went to a higher dose. Princess Buttercup was visibly losing weight. Took off Corid (despite conflicting advise) and started on electrolytes and treated with Permethrin for mites/lice. I was a bad mom and forgot to do a second treatment, and I do notice them back on her again...so going to treat that again...and I will remember the second treatment. She put on weight and has grown larger than my other two, so she's looking great for weight. Stopped the electrolyte water, but they seem to be doing fine without it now.

I did give her a couple of treatments of vitamins, but the internet is confusing, and it's so stressful for her, I wasn't sure if it was even helping. Pictures of everything coming up.