Chicken Respiratory Problems: What To Watch For

Chicken Respiratory Problems: What To Watch For

Coughing, sneezing, or head shaking might not sound serious, but in chickens, they’re often signs of something more troubling. Respiratory problems are one of the most common illnesses backyard keepers face, and if left untreated, they can spread quickly or even become fatal.

In this guide, I’ll cover the signs I watch for, the main causes and diseases involved, and what to do if one of your hens starts showing symptoms. I’ll also explain what I’ve learned about prevention and when to get help from a vet.

Spotting the signs early

Respiratory problems often start with something subtle, like a sneeze or a faint rattle when breathing. It’s easy to miss if you’re not watching closely. But the signs can worsen fast if you don’t act.

From my experience, once a hen starts sneezing or develops foamy eyes, I don’t wait. These are classic signs of upper respiratory illness, and if it’s contagious, the whole flock could be at risk.

What to look out for:

• Sneezing or wheezing
• Head shaking
• Discharge from the nostrils
• Foamy or watery eyes
• Swelling around the eyes or sinuses
• Lethargy or fluffed-up feathers
• Reduced appetite
• Laboured or open-mouth breathing

When to contact a vet

Some issues clear up on their own, but respiratory problems aren’t something I’d take chances with. If I see any of the following, I call the vet:

• Laboured breathing or gasping
• Swollen sinuses or eyes
• Sticky or thick nasal discharge
• Refusal to eat or drink
• Repeated sneezing with no improvement
• A second bird showing similar symptoms

My vet has prescribed antibiotics in the past when a bacterial infection was suspected. Usually it’s added to the drinking water, but they may suggest injections for severe cases. Either way, early action is key.

What causes respiratory illness in chickens?

The respiratory system in chickens is sensitive. Poor ventilation, damp bedding, or even a cold draught can trigger issues. Add in stress from moulting or a change in environment, and it’s easy for infections to take hold.

Here are some of the common causes and risk factors:

• Sudden drops in temperature or high humidity
• Poor airflow in the coop
• Overcrowding
• Dirty or dusty bedding
• Introducing new birds without quarantine
• Transport or disruption
• Attending poultry shows

Even if a bird carries a virus or bacteria without symptoms, stress can bring it out.

Common respiratory diseases

Respiratory illness is rarely caused by just one bug. Chickens often pick up multiple pathogens at once. These are the main ones to know about:

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG)

A bacterial infection that causes sneezing, foamy eyes, swollen sinuses and sometimes joint swelling. It can also affect the oviduct and egg quality. Infected birds carry it for life and can pass it to chicks through the egg.

Infectious Bronchitis (IB)

A coronavirus that spreads quickly in young birds. It causes sneezing, swollen sinuses and foamy eyes. It can damage the oviduct, leading to internal laying or misshapen eggs. Unlike Mycoplasma, it doesn’t pass through the egg.

Avian Rhino Tracheitis (ART)

A pneumovirus that causes swollen heads, sinus inflammation, sneezing and, in severe cases, nervous signs. Often hits fast and needs veterinary treatment.

Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILT)

A herpes virus that causes severe respiratory distress. In bad cases, birds can choke due to mucus and blood clots in the windpipe. Like MG, it stays in the bird’s system for life and can flare up again when stressed.

In some cases, a vet may recommend a blood test to confirm which pathogen is involved. This is especially helpful when more than one bird is affected or symptoms return.

Treatment and supportive care

Most of these illnesses are viral, which means antibiotics won’t cure them. But they often lead to secondary bacterial infections, like E. coli, which can make things worse. That’s where antibiotics come in — they treat the complications, not the virus itself.

When my hens have shown symptoms, I’ve used vet-prescribed medication in the water, and that’s usually been enough. But I isolate the sick bird straight away and make sure she’s warm, dry and has easy access to feed and water.

Things I’ve found helpful during recovery:

• Isolating the sick bird to stop spread
• Keeping the coop well ventilated but free from draughts
• Using poultry vitamins to support recovery
• Avoiding dusty bedding or sudden changes
• Checking waterers often, especially in cold weather

If a hen stops eating or drinking, I’ll syringe-feed if necessary — but at that point, I always speak to the vet.

Prevention: Keeping your flock healthy

Good management makes a big difference. You can’t eliminate all risk, but you can definitely reduce it. In my experience, prevention comes down to three things: ventilation, biosecurity and low stress.

• Ventilation: Make sure there’s airflow in the coop without direct draughts.
• Stocking density: Give them enough space, especially in bad weather.
• Quarantine: Always isolate new birds for 3 weeks before mixing them. Read How to introduce new chickens to your flock.
• Buy carefully: Only buy new hens from sellers who carefully check health before selling.
• Clean environment: Dry bedding, clean perches and dust control matter. Read 10 Tips for safely cleaning your coop.
• Vitamins: I use poultry multivitamins or probiotics (like Beryl’s Friendly Bacteria) during moults or cold spells to help them stay strong.

If respiratory issues become a pattern in your flock, it’s worth discussing vaccination with a poultry vet, especially if you’re breeding or keeping a closed flock long-term.

Final thoughts

I’ve learned that with chickens, small things can become big problems fast. A sneeze or a rattle might not seem like much, but I’ve seen how quickly a respiratory infection can knock a hen off her feet or spread through a group. The best approach is early isolation, calm conditions and a call to the vet if there’s any doubt.

With good airflow, clean housing and a bit of TLC, most hens recover well. But don’t wait around to find out. If it’s respiratory, it’s worth acting quickly.

If you need more information, the government’s Animal & Plant Health Agency, APHA, has published a helpful guide to common respiratory diseases.

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