Chicken sneezing is an unusual and silly sound. It's okay to crack a smile every once in a while and take a picture. Then again, if they sneeze consistently more than usual, could something be wrong?

In this article, we will examine why chickens sneeze, when to be concerned, and how to prevent it.

How Does Chicken Sneezing Sound?​

Most animals, including chickens, sneeze. A chicken's head jerks forward when it sneezes, causing a high-pitched squeak to be heard. In most cases, it is more piercing than other animals' sneezes.

It's normal for dust, pollen, and other allergens to produce this reaction on occasion. Nevertheless, there are some very serious reasons for chicken sneezing as well.

Why Do Chickens Sneeze?​

It is common for chickens to sneeze, especially if they live in an area with lots of dust and pollen. Single sneezes are generally not a cause for concern. Nonetheless, if they continue, you may want to see a veterinarian.

It's probably fine if a chicken sneezes but then continues with what it was doing afterward. A persistent sneeze or sneezing accompanied by wheezing and coughing, however, should be taken seriously. There are several possible reasons for these symptoms.

Mycoplasma Gallisepticum​

The condition in chickens is also called "bulgy eye." It is quite common in backyard flocks. It is a bacterial disease that is characterized by watery eyes, eye discharge, and facial swelling. Aside from sneezing and coughing, there might also be nasal discharge and head shaking. In order to prevent the spread of the disease, birds showing symptoms should be separated from the flock.

Infectious Coryza​

Another bacterial disease is infectious coryza. Sneezing and coughing are common symptoms of chickens who suffer from this condition. In addition to breathing problems and facial swelling, chickens may experience a lack of appetite as symptoms worsen. It is easy for a chicken with this disease to spread it to other chickens, so keep them apart.

Infectious Bronchitis Virus​

The virus can be spread between chickens and is contagious. The risk is greater for chicks and pullets than for adults. It often starts with coughing and sneezing. Watery eyes, strange sounds, nasal discharge, swollen sinuses, and wheezing can also be signs.

Bird Flu​

The bird flu also called "avian influenza" can affect animals of different species. In other words, your chicken may pass it on to you if they have it. Sneezing is one of the first symptoms you will notice with this condition. In addition to coughing, a loss of appetite, tremors, swollen faces, loss of appetite, lethargy, and decreased egg production, the bird will also show droopy wings.

Newcastle Disease​

A less common concern is Newcastle disease, which can be deadly if not treated in time. Any part of your chicken's body can be affected by this respiratory disease. The symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses, including coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, diarrhea, and lethargy. It could lead to life-threatening paralysis if not diagnosed soon enough.

Infectious Laryngotracheitis​

Birds showing symptoms of this disease should be separated because the disease is highly contagious. This problem is most prevalent in the winter, and chickens may suffer from sneezing, eye discharge, and nasal discharge, as well as swollen sinuses. If left untreated, it may be fatal. It is still possible, however, for your bird to recover slowly if noticed early.

The above are just some possible diagnoses for sneezing chickens. If your chicken displays unusual symptoms, but you do not know what caused it, you should contact a veterinarian right away.

Chicken Sneezing Treatment​

Chicken sneezing may be treated differently depending on its cause. If the problem is something minor, such as excessive dust in the coop, some additional cleaning should resolve the issue. If, however, your chicken is showing other symptoms in addition to sneezing, you'll need to see a veterinarian for further instructions.

It may be necessary to treat any health concerns with your chicken with antibiotics, herbal supplements, and medications. In any case, you should follow your vet's recommendations rather than trying to pick out those products on your own. You could make the situation worse by choosing the wrong treatment.

Make sure their living space stays clean while they are recovering from illness. Provide clean water and fresh food daily, and keep the coop free of dust. Keeping chickens in a clean, healthy environment is always important, but it is especially important when they are ill.

Chicken Sneezing Prevention​

The key to keeping chickens healthy is prevention. You should still take precautionary measures even if your chickens haven't been sneezing. The following tips can help.

Keep the Coop Clean​

You should always keep the area in which your chickens live clean. An accumulation of dust can also increase the risk of diseases entering the coop. Chicken feces can spread diseases, so removing bird waste can help prevent this occurrence.

Cleanliness can greatly improve the overall well-being of your chickens, even if they don't care about the way their room looks.

Provide Proper Ventilation​

In addition to being clean, their coop should also be well ventilated. It's important that chickens have access to fresh air and oxygen wherever they are, so make sure they have plenty of space indoors with plenty of fresh air.

Fresh Food and Water are Essential​

A consistent amount of food and water should be provided daily to chickens. The food that chickens should eat should complement their age, so chicks should consume more protein than adults. Adult chickens also require extra calcium in their diet.

Change the water in your chicken enclosure whenever it appears dirty. If your chicken's water isn't replaced often enough, dirt, debris, and bacteria can accumulate, causing health problems. For your chicken to have a healthy immune system and to reduce the possibility of sneezing, it is necessary to provide them with fresh water and a quality diet.

Vaccinate your chickens​

Like any other domesticated animal, chickens can be vaccinated. With chicken vaccinations, you can prevent diseases such as Newcastle disease, infectious bronchitis, and infectious laryngotracheitis. Ask your veterinarian about the vaccinations your flock needs.

Sick Chicken Separation​

It's best to separate chickens showing symptoms of a disease, such as coughing, sneezing, or wheezing, from the rest of the flock. When a sick chicken has their own space, they are unlikely to spread respiratory diseases to others while they are recovering.

It's a good idea to quarantine new chickens when you add them to your flock. For at least two weeks, keep them separate from other chickens to ensure they are healthy. If you get chickens from an unfamiliar place, they might bring diseases with them, so it is best to make sure they are healthy before introducing them to the rest of your birds.

Visit the Vet​

Chickens don't require annual checkups as dogs and cats do. Nevertheless, you should still familiarize yourself with veterinarians who can handle chickens. In this way, if any of your chickens show unusual symptoms, you will know exactly where they need to be taken. Having a vet who is experienced with chickens can help you stay on top of your flock's health and wellbeing.

Conclusion​

Chicken sneezing is usually not a major concern. Sneezing is caused by a small amount of dust floating in the air, but it does not automatically indicate that someone is sick. If you are concerned about your chicken, pay attention to other symptoms. There could be an underlying health issue if your birds exhibit other unusual behaviors in addition to sneezing.

There is always the possibility of something going wrong with chickens, even though most are generally healthy. Prevent contagious diseases from entering your chicken coop by keeping the coop clean and your chickens safe. As a result, you will have healthier chickens and egg quality will be better.

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