Sneezing?

[whoacowboy]

My 21 week old barred rock has been "sneezing" the last two days. Other than the occasionally sound she has had no other changes. What is this and how do I help her?

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
It could be environmental; if you're feeding crumbles, sometimes dust will get in their nostrils and cause them to sneeze, or a crumble particle was somehow inhaled through the nostril causing her to sneeze. Other environmental causes could be pollen, dust, smoke, ammonia from soiled bedding, pestiside fumes etc....
Have you introduced any new chickens/chicks from an outside source that could have possibly introduced a respiratory disease? If so, there's your answer.

 

[whoacowboy]

No new chickens. We clean the coop once a week. We do feed crumbles. This is the hottest week so far, heat index in the 100s. Could the heat and humidity maybe be an adjustment for her? Since this is her first summer? I don't see any goop in her eyes or nostrils. This is our first go at chickens and boy, everyday it's something

 

[speckledhen]

Extreme heat index can definitely affect their breathing, especially if they're stressed or fussing with each other. My rooster was chasing the hens yesterday and was breathing so hard, he was wheezing. Had to put him in a cage with fan blowing on him to calm him down-thought he'd keel over dead if we didn't. Sneezing with no other symptoms is usually environmental, as dawg said.

 

[dawg53]

I bought 2 box fans yesterday, 1 for each pen. I have 2 fans for each coop....I'll never complain about cold winter again.