Ammonia smell in coop-first time owner

[Jenni Cave]

Can anyone give me advice please? I have 2 bantams and 1 hybrid. My hybrid has started with a runny nose and a sneeze today. I have had to wipe her little beak several times and the "snot" smells funny. I shall consult my vet tomorrow but in the meantime, any advice would be appreciated.

[Sandychick]

I think you are right to take her to the vets sounds like she will probably need antibiotics. I hope she gets better soon

[Jenni Cave]

She is now on antibiotics as are the other 2. The vet was puzzled as her "snot" really smells nasty. Almost an infected, rotting smell! Apart from that she had a thorough check over and everything else is absolutely fine which is a relief. I spent the evening scaring myself by reading abiut chicken respiratory illnesses!

[wez]

When we got Dolly, another Pekin to add to our little flock in January, it was a horrendously wet day at the farm that we got her from. She and Ruby who came with her at the same time were drenched, muddy and we didn't even notice the stench from her beak until we got her home! Sneezing started, snotty nose and soon afterwards we realised she wasn't well. Vet thought she had myco even though vaccinated, and antibiotics began. Luckily she recovered but I'll never forget the smell and being new to chicken keeping then we learned a lot in a short space of time! Hope all well soon

[Beantree]

The smell results from a flare-up of the immunisation virus ILT or IB. Hybrids are immunised against these but a by-product can be a very smelly nasal discharge permanently and rough egg shells. I hope your bantams are OK Jenni, because these mild viruses are very infectious, so it's good they are already being treated. You can tell the vet next visit.