aquaducked
Hatching
- May 20, 2021
- 3
- 1
- 9
*** Urgent - everything here will close for the weekend in ~4 hours for the sabbath! I need to know what to request from the vet asap, otherwise I probably won't be able to get treatment or meds at all until Sunday. ***
I'm new to chickens, but I have many years experience with other birds (parrots and orphan/sick pigeon chicks). A day and a half ago, I purchased 3 chicks from a fellow hobbyist in my area with the intention of raising them for eggs. He told me that they are approx. 1 month old Rhode Island Reds, gender unknown, and that they've received their Newcastle vaccination.
The guy I bought them from seems to be a serious hobbyist and well integrated into the local chicken community. Chicks seem well cared for, and used to being handled by humans. They run away from scary new objects (which I understand is typical), but don't have that reaction to people unless surprised. They seem to enjoy attention from humans if their personal space is respected. They permit petting and cuddling. I am fairly sure they genuinely enjoy it, and aren't tolerating it because they don't feel well.
At the beginning, their poop tended to be runny, or to be made up of solid pieces in a lot of clear liquid. About a quarter of the poop was swimming in deep red liquid. I am not sure that this was blood, however. It didn't leave darkish red-brown stains behind upon drying, but rather seemed to lose its color and become almost colorless upon reacting with the air. (Could this be caused by something in the food? Like with humans and beets?) I suspect at least part of this may have been caused by the stress of being transported, and/or going for a couple hours without water in a hot environment.
All 3 chicks are eating and drinking well and did so from the beginning. They have no trouble walking, and all display curiosity and investigate their surroundings. They snuggle each other when they're tired, and I've seen each of the three actively take part in quibbling over their place at the food and water dispensers, in a way that seems healthy to me. All are pooping regularly. At 1.5 days later, their poop is no longer runny or with funny colors. Current poop situation:
The one with the concerning issue is actually the largest, and was the most energetic one of the bunch at the beginning. S/he is very curious, and likes to flap up 1-2 feet in altitude so s/he can look around from the rim of the brooder. (So any breathing impairment is hopefully not too significant, at least not yet.) Has excellent balance, and enjoyed falling asleep on my wrist. Had no problem adjusting to my small movements, or to turning around.
Not sure if it's getting lethargic now, or just taking a bit of a break? It's only been about a day so it's hard to say.
The symptoms that concern me in this one particular chick are:
Bubbling/clicking breathing noises during sleep:
Some concerning-sounding sneezes:
One of the other chicks occasionally does the yawning thing and sometimes sneezes, but not to an extent that I'd comment on if not for the first chick.
None appear to have discharge around the nose or eyes, or swelling.
I looked for skin/feather parasites but did not see any. I didn't want to stress them out by doing a thorough inspection though, so there very well may be some that I missed.
My regular avian vet is not working today, and the general vets don't really do birds. However, I think they will be willing to write me a prescription for something like a simple antibiotic or antiparasitic, if I come with a recommendation and I can explain to them exactly what to prescribe me - preparation, dosage, method of administration, etc.
Preferably something used in cats or dogs too, or in stock at a human pharmacy - if it's a bird-only medicine, these vets likely won't have it in stock.
Thank you!
I'm new to chickens, but I have many years experience with other birds (parrots and orphan/sick pigeon chicks). A day and a half ago, I purchased 3 chicks from a fellow hobbyist in my area with the intention of raising them for eggs. He told me that they are approx. 1 month old Rhode Island Reds, gender unknown, and that they've received their Newcastle vaccination.
The guy I bought them from seems to be a serious hobbyist and well integrated into the local chicken community. Chicks seem well cared for, and used to being handled by humans. They run away from scary new objects (which I understand is typical), but don't have that reaction to people unless surprised. They seem to enjoy attention from humans if their personal space is respected. They permit petting and cuddling. I am fairly sure they genuinely enjoy it, and aren't tolerating it because they don't feel well.
At the beginning, their poop tended to be runny, or to be made up of solid pieces in a lot of clear liquid. About a quarter of the poop was swimming in deep red liquid. I am not sure that this was blood, however. It didn't leave darkish red-brown stains behind upon drying, but rather seemed to lose its color and become almost colorless upon reacting with the air. (Could this be caused by something in the food? Like with humans and beets?) I suspect at least part of this may have been caused by the stress of being transported, and/or going for a couple hours without water in a hot environment.
All 3 chicks are eating and drinking well and did so from the beginning. They have no trouble walking, and all display curiosity and investigate their surroundings. They snuggle each other when they're tired, and I've seen each of the three actively take part in quibbling over their place at the food and water dispensers, in a way that seems healthy to me. All are pooping regularly. At 1.5 days later, their poop is no longer runny or with funny colors. Current poop situation:
The one with the concerning issue is actually the largest, and was the most energetic one of the bunch at the beginning. S/he is very curious, and likes to flap up 1-2 feet in altitude so s/he can look around from the rim of the brooder. (So any breathing impairment is hopefully not too significant, at least not yet.) Has excellent balance, and enjoyed falling asleep on my wrist. Had no problem adjusting to my small movements, or to turning around.
Not sure if it's getting lethargic now, or just taking a bit of a break? It's only been about a day so it's hard to say.
The symptoms that concern me in this one particular chick are:
- A sort of combined cough/sneeze, happens mostly while awake
- A sort of honking noise that may also be a kind of cough/sneeze? Also while awake
- Bubbling/clicking breathing noises, only happens when sleeping or falling asleep.
- Occasional wide yawning motions with the beak and head. Often a couple in a row, a few seconds apart. I've seen this mentioned as a possible symptom of crop worms, on parrot forums.
- Even while awake - its breathing sometimes sounds congested. Sounds like when I breathe through my nose with mild nasal congestion.
Bubbling/clicking breathing noises during sleep:
Some concerning-sounding sneezes:
One of the other chicks occasionally does the yawning thing and sometimes sneezes, but not to an extent that I'd comment on if not for the first chick.
None appear to have discharge around the nose or eyes, or swelling.
I looked for skin/feather parasites but did not see any. I didn't want to stress them out by doing a thorough inspection though, so there very well may be some that I missed.
My regular avian vet is not working today, and the general vets don't really do birds. However, I think they will be willing to write me a prescription for something like a simple antibiotic or antiparasitic, if I come with a recommendation and I can explain to them exactly what to prescribe me - preparation, dosage, method of administration, etc.
Preferably something used in cats or dogs too, or in stock at a human pharmacy - if it's a bird-only medicine, these vets likely won't have it in stock.
Thank you!
Last edited:
