The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: FiB on January 18, 2012, 03:05:49 pm

Title: sneezing ex battery hen
Post by: FiB on January 18, 2012, 03:05:49 pm
Hi I had 4 ex bat hens back in November, kept them apart from exisiting flock of 4 until 2 weeks ago, but Ive just noticed one of the ex bats is sneezing and generally still looking a bit scraggy (the other 3 now look lovely and are fully refeathered) - all are still pale combed but I suspect that will change as and when they start venturing out more (they are free to do so now, but only go into the coop now and again, not into the big wide world with the others - I'll push them a bit when the weather gets nicer).  The sneezer is eating and drinking well and equally active as the others.  Should I be worried and take action (like quarenteening her from the others) or do they get sniffles like us?   Thanks F
Title: Re: sneezing ex battery hen
Post by: ellisr on January 18, 2012, 03:10:23 pm
Try some oregano or you can get a supplement for the water that is oregano based that helps mine with sniffles and sneezes they sometimes get. She may just be taking longer to adjust to the goodlife as well. The others seem to have come out of moult (enforced baldiness) well and she is just a bit behind and the weather isn't too good. I would still keep them seperate and give her the chance of catching up
Title: Re: sneezing ex battery hen
Post by: chrismahon on January 18, 2012, 08:17:47 pm
Could be the stress of integration has flared up the ILT innoculation, or it could just be dust or spores in the bedding. I wouldn't worry if she is active, but have a look at the bedding and ventillation in the coop.
Title: Re: sneezing ex battery hen
Post by: Cinderhills on January 19, 2012, 09:57:21 am
We had one that sneezed at first but now she is fine.  Not sure what it was though.
Title: Re: sneezing ex battery hen
Post by: FiB on January 19, 2012, 10:03:38 am
Many thanks - I have oregano so will try that.  I think bedding is Ok (no obvious dust in there), but will have a spring clean today.