Chicken sneezing and shaking head. ’ If you are talking to your chickens or around them, and you notice them tilting and occasionally shaking their heads, it could simply be that your chickens are listening to you! Symptoms include sneezing, watery and foamy eye discharge, coughing, nasal discharge, facial swelling and head shaking. She wasn’t sneezing or coughing Sneezing Shaking head Rales Gasping Discharge from the eyes Discharge from the nose Swelling of the face and/or wattles Bluish-purple discoloration of the face Retarded growth General diarrhea Green watery diarrhea Twisting of the head and neck (torticollis) Conjunctivitis Prostration BACTERIAL INFECTIONS Antibiotics are available to combat 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. You can apply a drop of hydrogen peroxide and use a QTip to check for any mites or drainage. I wouldn’t worry unless they’re showing signs of illness such as sneezing, coughing, etc. Coughing Sneezing Shaking of the head Rales Gasping Discharge from the eyes Discharge from the nose Swelling of the face and/or wattles Retarded growth General diarrhea Prostration Mycoplasma synoviae Clinical signs of infection by Mycoplasma synoviae include the following: Sneezing Shaking of the head Rales Discharge from the eyes Discharge Here are some articles that you may be interested in: Chicken Sneezing When Eating, How Do Wild Chickens Survive In The Winter?, Why Is My Duckling’s Neck Swollen?, Duck With A Twisted Foot, Chicken Shaking Head And Walking Backward, Do Chickens Shake When Scared?, Chicken Limping After Dog Attack, Chicken Trembling Legs, Rooster Shaking Legs Which is frustrating and really worries me! They seem to be eating and drinking okay, but in my gut, adding in the constant head shaking, sneezing, poopy butt-- I know they are very sick. This behavior can indicate various health problems that should be addressed promptly. No other birds seem to be affected at all. While occasional head-shaking can be a natural behavior in chickens, frequent and excessive head-shaking, especially when accompanied by other symptoms, may indicate an underlying condition. The clip concludes with the dog looking away with a betrayed expression, accompanied by the text, “WHY IS IT SPICY 😭”. When he called his chickens by name, they would run to him for treats, hence ‘the chicken-whisperer. Learn what it means if your chicken is sneezing, common causes, and effective treatments to keep your flock healthy. Her vent is covered with egg and it is in the nest If they are eating drinking and not having trouble breathing other than this occasional behavior, I wouldn't worry but watch for more sneezing or runny eyes/nose. We’ll go over the most common causes of depression, listlessness, and lethargy in chickens one by one […] What are the most common chicken diseases and how do you protect your flock from getting them? Click here to learn about the signs and symptoms of disease in chickens. Stands in one place most of the day not moving much. Some other symptoms include sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge, and head shaking. While chickens naturally shake themselves for various reasons, excessive or abnormal shaking can indicate an underlying health issue In this article we’ll explore the common causes of chicken shaking and trembling, along with tips on how to handle it. He used to shake his head when he would hear loud noises, but now he's shaking his head with almost any type of sound he hears My 16 day old Plymouth Rock chick has been sneezing, stretching out neck with her mouth open, and shaking her head. Head shaking may be respiratory diseases or parasites. He seems to be eating well and drinking well, he’s about as active as the other chickens. Are you observing any other clinical signs that might indicate an upper respiratory tract infection, such as conjunctivitis, sneezing, nasal discharge, or coughing? I have one chicken that has been sneezing periodically for a few weeks (kind of noticed it in hindsight) but now it’s pretty much constant. She’s not sneezing anymore that I have heard, but I did notice this bump near her nostril. She is My chicken Hilda is lethargic and withdrawn, and shaking head often. This was done once two days ago. She was moved from My chicken is wheezing and sneezing? And yes it just started today. I use pine shavings in the brooder. This behavior is an attempt to clear their airway, usually because there is a mucous or other fluid clogging it up. Chicken keeping may be easy when your flock feels fine, but there will be times throughout the year when you need to stay on top of illnesses, parasites, and reproduction issues. I’ll be clearing out the hay in the morning and going back to large flake shavings. These infections, often bacterial or viral, manifest through a constellation of symptoms including sneezing, coughing, and the characteristic head shake. Is your chicken shaking its head frequently? Learn the common reasons behind this behavior and how to help your chickens stay healthy. Your poor chickens try everything from sneezing, coughing, and head shaking to get rid of these worms (19). Knowing the reasons your chickens are sneezing, how to respond to the illnesses they may have, and how to prevent further illness in your chickens is important for all chicken owners. Help make sure your flock stays healthy and productive. . Table of Contents Observing Your Chicken When I observe my chickens, I always look for any unusual behavior, especially if one lets out a sudden sneeze or starts shaking its head. Nov 18, 2022 · Head Shaking Head shaking can be seen in many respiratory infections in chickens. Discover more answers Chicken eye discharge with head shaking and sneezing. He’s been sneezing some but more in the morning when I’m letting them out of the hen house. The head shaking is getting worse. Any insight? She's Respiratory disease in birds: Chickens are unlike humans, chickens don’t suffer from ailments like colds and flu but they can suffer from a variety of respiratory diseases. But if you notice one of your chickens continuously shaking and scratching its head, this can be a sign of an underlying condition. Common respiratory diseases in chickens include infectious bronchitis, mycoplasma, and avian influenza. Chicken respiratory disease can cause the birds to have symptoms like sneezing or wheezing, and they can also cause birds to shake their heads and close their eyes. Understanding Head Shaking in Chickens: A Farmer’s Complete Guide What Exactly Is Head Shaking in Chickens? Common Symptoms Associated with Head Shaking The Various Causes Behind Head Shaking 1. Shaking their head is a common behavior. I have a golden laced cochin bantam hen that has been sneezing and shaking her head for a couple of weeks. seven 7 month old pullets ( ee, australorp, delaware,columbian wyandotte,SS, welsummer, barred rock). This is usually a normal behavior in chickens, but other causes can be lice or mites crawling around their eyes, ears or heads, causing the head shaking. Learn how to keep your flock healthy with the respiratory system. : active and alert but all are shaking their heads, no nasal discharge, no A pet chicken starting to show signs of being ill is quite worrisome. If your bird is coughing and gasping, it could be a sneaky little worm. Apr 21, 2025 · 3. Isolate affected birds and seek veterinary care for appropriate treatment, often involving antibiotics . Respiratory diseases of chickens usually include additional signs, such as sneezing, coughing, wheezing, a runny nose, or sticky eyes. Mar 24, 2022 · Aside from sneezing and coughing, there might also be nasal discharge and head shaking. Nov 19, 2025 · When your chicken shakes its head back and forth, it can be concerning for you as a pet owner. Chicken has some behavioral patterns. Her name is freedom and she is 10 weeks old. I have been giving her tetracycline for over a week and she shows no signs of improvement. Sneezing or wheezy chest are most probably respiratory infection or gape worm. My chicken is 23 weeks My chicken is lethargic, shaking head, and has a bit of mucous poop. Head shaking in chickens, while sometimes a normal behavior, can signal underlying health issues, particularly respiratory infections. ) to the point where he almost fell down. Respiratory problems are one of the most common illnesses backyard keepers face, and if left untreated, they can spread quickly or even become fatal. Worried because your chicken is sneezing? Our guide helps you identify the cause, from dust to illness, and provides safe supportive care and prevention tips. This behavior typically involves rapid side-to-side head. It is always advisable to consult a veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan to ensure the health and well-being of your chickens. Why are my chickens sneezing? Your chicken might Learn the common reasons why chickens sneeze and how to address them. After taking a cautious sniff and a tiny taste, the dog recoils, sneezing and shaking its head as the realization of the heat sets in. Crop and wattle Is still very red, as is face- which is odd. Is the chicken coughing, wheezing or gaping or gasping for breath. Goldie was still eating, drinking, and moving with the flock. She I was with my chicken and she was fine one second and then she was out of site for a minute and suddenly she had several fits of sneezing, some minimal drooling, some head shaking, a few gaspy breaths, and she seems more lethargic? I have no idea what but maybe she ate something bad? what should If he is sneezing, the head shake could be a symptom of a respiratory disease, to clear his airways. When NZ Lifestyle Block reader Martin saw his Araucana hen Goldie gasping for breath, making funny rasping noises and shaking her head, he thought she might be thirsty. Respiratory symptoms in chickens can present as wheezing/whistling/rattling breath, watery or bubbly eyes, gasping, sneezing, blocked nares/nostrils, coughing, panting, head shaking (to try to clear the nares/nostrils), swollen face/eyes (indicating some swelling in the sinus passages), coughing blood, choking, and darkened comb/wattles (from As a chicken owner, you may notice your birds shaking or trembling at times. My silkie rooster is yawning and shaking his head (in that order. In order to prevent the spread of the disease, birds showing symptoms should be separated from the flock. Why Do Chickens Sneeze? Either it’s natural or the health issues behind it. No more sneezing or symptoms of anything respiratory…could this be an abscess?? If so, do I lance it?? Any help appreciated! I noticed this gal sneezing a lot this morning, so I went back out to see if she still was to see what was going on. I currently have about 4 inches of pine shavings, and the occassional dusting of DE. Here is why your bird may do this Gape worm? Aside from the worms, these are the other signs the chicken has: - scratching face more often than other chickens - doing gaping head motion (not super common but no other chicken ever does the same motion) - diarrhoea/ runny poop We bought the first solution and mixed it in with the chicken feed. Interesting thought about the hay - her head shaking seemed to start a day or so before I switched shavings for hay, but the sneezing/clicking/beak rubbing is new today. Ear Infections 3. It's been getting progressively worse over the past week or so. Parasites or infections might be causing the itchy throat, ears, or eyes. External Parasites Treatment Options I’ve Found Effective Prevention Is Better Than Cure When to Seek Your chicken may be shaking its head due to ear infections, parasites, injuries, respiratory issues, allergies, irritants, stress, or vitamin deficiencies. My initial thought is that these birds may be experiencing a headache, possibly due to sinusitis. Chickens sneezing—common causes, when it’s normal, signs of illness, and treatment options to keep your flock healthy. My rooster is constantly shaking his head. As a chicken owner, you may notice your birds shaking or trembling at times. DO I need to do more than I'm doing???? Is the Doxy going to work it's magic, but it needs more time, or should i be seeing results by now?? Signs of respiratory distress include wheezing, gasping, coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, or rattling sounds when breathing. These infections cause symptoms like sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge, and facial swelling. I’m not seeing any change in her behavior, still eating and foraging normally with the others. These symptoms are often accompanied by swollen eyes and heads, nasal discharge, and darkened combs. Typically around December, I hear a sneeze or a wheezing noise from some of my hens. When I. The parasites don’t just make your chickens uncomfortable. A chicken shaking its head and walking backward is alarming. I have checked her over and found nothing wrong. All chickens will shake their heads from time to time so it is how often it happens that is important. 3 days ago, I noticed one of the chicks sneezing constantly and everyone doing some head shaking or twitching. Infected chickens should be isolated from the flock and treated with appropriate antibiotics immediately. You might notice your chicken breathing with its mouth open or stretching its neck forward while inhaling. Currently on 10 day antibiotic drops that haven’t done much yet (day 4) Prior to this I found worm in poop along with lots of stringy orange stuff (intestinal 1) What type of bird , age and weight. Chicken shaking head and lethargic: Any change in how your chicken acts or looks will likely make alarm bells go off in your head if you are raising chickens. His hearing has also been getting more and more sensitive. Some chickens with respiratory infections develop a foul smell from their mouth or nostrils. If you have chickens in your house or firm, you might notice the fact. In this article, you will learn about the potential causes behind this symptom, what first aid measures you can take, and how VetBilim helps you monitor and improve your chicken's health. Lethargy is a common symptom in chickens that should be taken seriously. Aug 24, 2025 · Worried because your chicken is sneezing? Our guide helps you identify the cause, from dust to illness, and provides safe supportive care and prevention tips. We list all possible causes. Diseases can quickly kill your bird so knowing when to intervene if your bird shows alarming signs is a must. This article looks into why your chicken is shaking its head and walking backward. Our chicken symptom checker tool allows flock owners to easily and quickly select symptoms their chicken might be experiencing, and provide a list of possible conditions. Head shaking in chickens has always been puzzling. Neurological Issues 2. Last week I noticed my one year old BO, Annie, occasionally shaking her head - I don't know how else to describe it. Her comb is lighter than it was, she sits a lot and is first to the roost at night. This is the third time I've raised a flock of chickens and the first time I've ever dealt with an illness of any form. Respiratory Infections Respiratory infections such as Infectious Bronchitis, Mycoplasma, or Infectious Coryza can lead to head shaking. There are several possible causes for head shaking in chickens, and we’ll cover the most common reasons and how to address them. Sneezing and coughing: If your chicken is shaking its head and also sneezing or coughing, it could be a sign of respiratory illness. It can spread from chicken to chicken, so birds showing symptoms should be separated from the flock. In this article, we’ll explore why chickens shake their heads, what it could mean, and how to respond to ensure your chickens stay healthy. Hatched april 12 : hatchery birds 2) What is the behavior, exactly. To be Head shaking is a common behavior in chickens that can indicate various underlying issues. I understand your concern. I would also check his ears for any drainage or gunk. Chickens head shake for communication, fear, happiness, wind and an overall feeding behavior. A slight rattle in the chest, difficulty breathing with the neck extended, or a gasp could signal a gapeworm infection. maybe more experts will respond with some good advice, but these are my thoughts. Typically, sneezing paired with head shaking is associated with illnesses like bird flu or avian influenza. In addition to the bird shaking its head and stretching its neck, other symptoms of gapeworm in chickens include: Coughing and sneezing (as a way to get the worms out of the trachea) Our chicken symptom checker tool allows flock owners to easily and quickly select symptoms their chicken might be experiencing, and provide a list of possible conditions. About 3-4 days ago I noticed two of the newest chickens started sneezing and shaking their heads as they sneeze. May 4, 2022 · When a chicken is shaking and scratchin its head, it can be a sign of an underlying condition. If your chicken is lounging on the ground with its eyes closed, ready to nap, it could be a red flag signaling an underlying health issue. The only problem was, there was plenty of water available. I have 12 chicks ranging in age from 2 weeks to 6 weeks. All chickens will sneeze occasionally. ofhbv, btoh, 5z6xn, ubxh, iadt6, s7t7s, 53rux, 57nxe, reka1u, kuw6,