Sick chick?

[Ali Gator]

I have noticed that one of my chick seems to shiver when I pick it up away from the light. The chick is almost fully feathered though. It also seems to be breathing hard. I have never had this happen. Is it sick?

 

[CMV]

If shivering is the only sign of an issue then I would not worry overmuch about it. Sometimes birds shiver in response to stress. Heavy breathing is also a stress response. You may want to start rewarding this chick when you handle it. Give it something special like mealworms (which chickens normally go ga-ga over). Make it associate being handled by you with something awesome. Food is the way to do that.

I have a goose that was pretty much feral until we were forced into close contact a few years back. One of the first things she did to me was to start this strange concerted shivering that caused her feathers to rustle in a weird way that resembled a bird "growl". That was her way of telling me to back off and leave her be. Could this be what you are experiencing?

 

[Ali Gator]

No. He is perfectly calm. I think it is Newcastle diesease. Does anyone know what to do?

 

[Eggcessive]

Where are you located? Newcastles is usually not found in the US, at least the exotic type. If it is exotic Newcastles, you should cull, but I would first try to determine for sure what it is. Is there any gasping, gurgles, or neck twisting? Maybe it is something less serious. Please list all symptoms. Here are some links about Newcastles Disease:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/birdbiosecurity/end/
http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pou..._infections/newcastle_disease_in_poultry.html




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[cafarmgirl]

Where are you located? Newcastles is usually not found in the US, at least the exotic type. If it is exotic Newcastles, you should cull, but I would first try to determine for sure what it is. Is there any gasping, gurgles, or neck twisting? Maybe it is something less serious. Please list all symptoms. Here are some links about Newcastles Disease:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/birdbiosecurity/end/
http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pou..._infections/newcastle_disease_in_poultry.html




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Ditto. This could be any one of a number of things or it could be nothing at all. I would not make the jump to Newcastle disease without having tests done.

 

[Ali Gator]

Here are the symptoms I have noticed:
Shivering
Watery discharge
Heavy breathing
Occasional hoarse chirps

 

[Ali Gator]

I am in Georgia. The chick doesn't seem very active. It might not be the exotic type, but most of the symptoms match up.

 

[Ali Gator]

We put him in a separate brooder box away from the other chicks.

 

[Eggcessive]

Has he been inside in a brooder or raised outside? How old? Chicks are more prone to getting coccidiosis under the age of 11 weeks. Coccidiosis is treated with Corid or amprollium from the farm stores or TSC. It can cause some of your symptoms. Did you breed this chick or buy it from a breeder or store? The more details you give the more help we can be. Has it been near adult birds that could have been carriers of a respiratory disease?

 

[Ali Gator]

He was raised inside and is about two weeks old. He seems to be sneezing now too.