2 week old silkie opening mouth to breath sounds like a squeaky toy!

[cparsons15]

]My baby chick is breathing by opening her mouth she also shakes her head and sounds like a dog toy sometimes she is eating fine but not drinking as much as normal so I have been syringe feeding her. She walks around alot she doesn't lay down as much to sleep as normal but dose once in a while I called the local feed store they gave me an antibiotic for the water I have one other chick that's doing fine what should I do to help her. I have rubbed her throat thing forgot what it's called it feels fine I am very new to this please help!

 

[Eggcessive]

What are you feeding them? Wonder if she is getting some larger crumbles stuck in her throat causing the sound? Try wetting some of the crumbles into an oatmeal consistency in a small container--don't leave it out for more than 12 hours, then add fresh. A respiratory infection does not sound like a good start for you with new chicks. Which medication did they recommend? I would prefer to dip her beak into water repeatedly letting her swallow and breath between each drink. That is safer than feeding with a syringe.

 

[cparsons15]

The feed store told me they didn't need medicated food so they gave me Purina chick starter non medicated. I felt her crop and compared it to the other chick it seemed fine to me but then all I can go by is comparison. The antibiotic is duramycin 10. She is really struggling don't think she will make it at all. I have them in my house under red heat lamp with thermometer plenty of water and food I used aspen shavings because I read pine and cedar would cause resp. Issues. I am really heart broken I feel I have failed her these were my fist chickens and I just wish I knew what I did wrong. The other chick is fine bit feed store told me to let her drink the anti. In case she has it too.

 

[Eggcessive]

It could be that the chick was sick to start with from the feed store. I don't use medicated feed for chicks either--it is supposed to help prevent coccidiosis, but I don't think it helps. For cocci, I just would treat with Corid if I saw symptoms of cocci (lethargy, diarrhea, standing puffed up.) I hope it gets better. Be sure and get some probiotics for your chicks for after the Duramycin.

 

[ChickenPox]

Just keep doing what you are doing and don't beat yourself up. You are doing the best you can. Silkies can be delicate little ones sometimes. Even my grown birds make the squeekie toy sound sometimes when they eat too fast. And yes, I would just dip the beak instead of syringe right now as well. Good luck!

 

[cparsons15]

I took your advice on the dipping method but despite my efforts Stella is in a better place but the other chick Bella is very lonely she crystal for her I hope she won't grieve to death.

 

[cafarmgirl]

I took your advice on the dipping method but despite my efforts Stella is in a better place but the other chick Bella is very lonely she crystal for her I hope she won't grieve to death.

Sorry you lost your chick. It would be a good idea to get a friend or two for your remaining chick, chickens really do better and are happier with company of their own kind.

 

[Eggcessive]

I took your advice on the dipping method but despite my efforts Stella is in a better place but the other chick Bella is very lonely she crystal for her I hope she won't grieve to death.

Sorry about your chick. I would request that the feed store replace her with another chick now, so you other one has company, even if they aren't silkies. Two more chicks may be better.