3 week old chicks have the sniffles..

[ShenValleyChick]

I'm raising my first flock and have ten chicks - barred rock and EEs. They are all really active and appear healthy except I've noticed a few of them sneezing recently. When I was holding one of them today I noticed she has a runny nose too. I've heard of medicating their water... but I'm not sure with what??? I did get an electrolyte supplement from TSC, but not sure if this will suffice. Any ideas, advice, or is this just normal??

Also - I think I'm a bad mom because I've been giving them worms out of the garden while I'm weeding and I just read a thread that they need grit to digest them?? They are currently eating crumbles. Do I need to put grit in the brooder too??

 

[newham0614]

I've had good luck with a product called VetRX. You can get it at the co-op

 

[llaaadyel]

You should put a sprinkle of grit on their crumbles. I can get chick grit at the feed store but sand works too.

 

[Wildflower_VA]

There was probably enough dirt on the worms to act as grit. Grit is needed to help digest larger grains and vegetable matter. If they are foraging for grass and worms, they will probably eat enough dirt to digest it. When you are giving treats in the brooder, then they need sand and some chick grit.