I heard one of the hens sneezing

C-Nina · **Joined:** Sat Sep 15, 2012 7:09 pm **Posts:** 3

Hi this may be a stupid question but can chickens catch a cold from people. I ask because we have all had a cold recently and yesterday I heard one of the hens sneezing and what sounds like a cough now I have no idea if its possible they can get a cold from us? If they can what can I do for her?

Hens and Hobbits · **Posted:** Sun Sep 16, 2012 8:21 am

C-Nina,

There is no such thing as a stupid question.

Yes hens catch colds, the cough and splutter and have respiratory infections. I'm not sure if humans can pass them on to chooks, or vice versa, but always wash your hands before and after handling them whether you are ill or they are.

Keep her isolated and warm, maybe in a cage with food and water in the laundry, so the others in the flock don't catch a cold, and put her on on antibiotics. There are other treads on what antibiotics to use, but I think that most people use a broad spectrum antibiotic such as Oxymav 100 Soluble Broadspectrum Antibiotic Powder. Just check if there is an egg witholding period after the course of antibiotics.

You can buy them on line or at the vet or some stock feeds also sell them.

parvo · **Joined:** Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:39 pm **Posts:** 735

Hi C-Nina,

If your chicken has a cold it is almost certainly a chicken-only respiratory infection and not caught from you.

The only really documented transmission from chickens to people is during the "Bird-Flu" epidemic where the avian influenza viruses have mutated and become infectious to people. This has not happened in Australia yet and Avian Influenza is still considered an exotic and notifiable disease. Your bird is very unlikely to have an influenza virus.

Try the advice as suggested by Hens and Hobbits & see how you go.

C-Nina · **Joined:** Sat Sep 15, 2012 7:09 pm **Posts:** 3

I feel silly asking I guess but thank you both for being so kind. I will follow your advice to the letter I just hope Peter at the pet store had that oxymav but I am sure he could get me some if not. again I thank you both and I am off to take her out and into the laundry

Hens and Hobbits · **Posted:** Sun Sep 16, 2012 3:16 pm

Glad we could be of help, that's what we are here for.

Here are a couple of places online where you can get poultry medication etc

http://www.littlevalleypoultry.com
They sell various variety packs of different poultry vitamins, medication, worming etc

OR

http://planetpoultry.com.au

Have a look at their websites and get an idea of the price before you go the Peter.

julie at serenity · **Posted:** Sun Sep 16, 2012 6:28 pm

I have had chooks for what seems like forever (well at least all my childhood, teenage years and for the last 14 years anyway).....never had a chook with a cold/ respiratory infection.......UNTIL this August.....it just had to be my brand new little buff wyandotte bantam cockerel......
fortunately I had bought a bottle of Oxymav a few months ago (for "just in case").....isolated and treated him..fortunately his little pullet and no other chooks got infected.....Just like antibiotics for humans...don't be tempted to stop the medication just because the patient is looking better......I was told to keep treating him for 10 days...
BUT.......it was a real worry when he was sick...

C-Nina · **Joined:** Sat Sep 15, 2012 7:09 pm **Posts:** 3

Thank you both very much I will read those now

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