Update:Sneezing hens (grapeworm)

[Viksceeks]

I have 2 older hens that started sneezing recently and sound like they're growling sometimes. Like the back of their throat is grinding rocks
Other than that, they're fine happy and healthy
I'm not too concerned but I have them with the flock and don't want something more serious to wipe them out
Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated

 

[Isaac 0]

Sneezing and rattle breathing could be an environmental issue like dusty bedding, dusty feed, or pollen, or could be an indicator of a respiratory infection, common ones are infectious bronchitis , (MG) Mycoplasma gallisepticum , or Coryza.

Could you post a video of them sneezing and breathing to a video platform like Youtube or Vimeo, then copy/paste the link here?

I would start by considering some environmental issues (some mentioned above), and if you can cross the possibility of some of those out, really move on to the chance that they may have a respiratory infection.

Diagnosing solely based on symptoms will prove very hard, and nonreliable, a more accurate way would be to send some swabs to either your state poultry lab, or a national veterinary diagnostic lab like Zoologix. These tests are usually priced fairly. If they do test positive for a respiratory infection, you can speak with the poultry diagnostician and figure out what might be best as far as treatment, or speak with us.

Here are some links,

https://www.zoologix.com/avian/Datasheets/PoultryRespiratoryPanel.htm
https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf
https://extension.umd.edu/sites/ext... Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) Infecti....pdf

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/mycoplasmosis/mycoplasma-gallisepticum-infection-in-poultry

 

[Viksceeks]

I'm 99% sure it's grapeworm and I plan to treat as such. My question is, I have some cornish x chicks in a outside brooder with the flock. Should I treat them too? They're 2 weeks old

 

[dawg53]

I'm 99% sure it's grapeworm and I plan to treat as such. My question is, I have some cornish x chicks in a outside brooder with the flock. Should I treat them too? They're 2 weeks old

Are the two older hens eating and drinking?

 

[Viksceeks]

Are the two older hens eating and drinking?

They're not eating like normal. I gave them safeguard last night, I hope it works soon
I threw out some mealworms and they ate a few but left the rest, very unlike them

 

[dawg53]

I recommend that you pick up a fresh fecal sample from those two hens, put it in a ziplock bag and take it to any vet and have them look for gapeworm eggs in the feces using a microscope. Then you'll know for sure.
Just for your information, gapeworms are rare in chickens. Additionally they are difficult to get rid of. However, capillary worms can cause similar symptoms and are just as deadly as gapeworms.
https://poultrykeeper.com/digestive-system-problems/capillaria-worms/

Safeguard given orally 5 days straight will get rid of them. Withhold feed from your birds 2 hours the evening before worming. Do not provide the two birds feed the next morning until you worm them, then let them eat 2 hours after worming. Repeat this procedure the next 4 days in a row.
Withholding feed makes the wormer more effective in eliminating the weakened starving worms.

 

[Viksceeks]

I recommend that you pick up a fresh fecal sample from those two hens, put it in a ziplock bag and take it to any vet and have them look for gapeworm eggs in the feces using a microscope. Then you'll know for sure.
Just for your information, gapeworms are rare in chickens. Additionally they are difficult to get rid of. However, capillary worms can cause similar symptoms and are just as deadly as gapeworms.
https://poultrykeeper.com/digestive-system-problems/capillaria-worms/

Safeguard given orally 5 days straight will get rid of them. Withhold feed from your birds 2 hours the evening before worming. Do not provide the two birds feed the next morning until you worm them, then let them eat 2 hours after worming. Repeat this procedure the next 4 days in a row.
Withholding feed makes the wormer more effective in eliminating the weakened starving worms.

Thank you! I thought it was just once and then repeat 4 days later
I can only find they cream tube, is there an easy way to worm them?

 

[Eggcessive]

The SafeGuard horse paste is fine and comparable to the liquid goat wormer in dosage. Dosage is 1/4 ml per pound of either, given to each chicken for 5 consecutive days. A syringe from the feed store or phamacy is helpful for measuring.

 

[dawg53]

Thank you! I thought it was just once and then repeat 4 days later
I can only find they cream tube, is there an easy way to worm them?

Personally I prefer to use the liquid goat wormer. Liquids are more easily absorbed than pastes.
Give it orally to each hen following Eggcessive's instructions.