couple of concerns.

[Bickerton]

Hi folks, got aotherwise,le concerns.

One of my girls has been a little sneezy from time to time but last few days its got slightly worse , little bit of gunk on one nostril.

She seems 100% otherwise, no gurgles, still laying, become one of my biggest girls and likes to play the chasing pieces of banana round the garden.

House bedding is currently the white horse bedding type stuff, I do sieve this daily to keep mega clean but I suppose this could break it down more as its a little dusty but nothing id think is too bad,I leave their pop hole open 24/7 now anyways and have now dampened the flooring slightly.

Anything else I should look for?

Another issue is one of them is laying slightly odd eggs fairly regularly, they seems cracked all round the widest part, have had a thin shell once or twice too.

 

[Bickerton]

 

[chrismahon]

Possibly the beginning of a respiratory infection Bickerton. Dust is raised when they flap their wings. Damp will cause mould spores and that will certainly lead to a serious respiratory infection -we nearly lost a cockerel to it which is why I paint all plywood with primer and gloss to seal it. Hardwood ply (Far eastern exterior grade) seems prone to fungal attack in my experience and even neat poultry shield won't kill it. Odd eggs may be related to their condition. Think you may need a lot more ventilation in the coop.

 

[Bickerton]

Thanks for the reply, pophole is 2 ft sq and always open,top vent is 2 bricks removed and meshed with 1 1/2" wire

 

[chrismahon]

Think that may be your problem Bickerton. You might have no cross flow, just air rising up. the ventilation needs to go right across the coop but not across the perches. I'm building a new coop at the moment to solve exactly the same issue. Can't modify the cop as they are in it and it forms one end of their enclosure.

 

[foxy]

You could have a sub-clinical respiratory problem in your flock Bickerton, meaning that symptoms are mild and probably less noticeable because of your good husbandry, but very frustrating nonetheless. A quick check by a poultry vet may help allay your concerns and also they can suggest a course of treatment.

 

[Bickerton]

Brilliant,thanks