4 1/2 week old

[DYarbro97]

I have what I think Speckled Sussex, that is not playing like the other chicks. She doesn't run when you try to pick her up. She keeps stretching her neck like a rooster would to crow and she kinda sneezes. She stands there with her eyes closed and seems to be breathing pretty hard. I have been putting them outside for the past week for a few hours everyday. Any help would be great, its my daughters favorite chick.

 

[Eggcessive]

Where did you get the chicks? Dust, mold, and powdery feed can cause sneezing. So can respiratory diseases such as bronchitis and MG. Look for watery or bubbly eyes, nasal drainage, or swelling around an eye or the face. Is there any diarrhea or puffing up that could be a sign of coccidiosis? Try giving her some probiotics and feed her some chopped scrambled egg. Check her little crop for any impaction. And make sure they are getting small chick grit since they can get crop impaction easily from grasses and other food besides chick starter. Gallimycin or oxytetracycline would be good to use in the water if you feel she has a respiratory infection. Some also will use Tylan 50 injectable give orally instead of a shot in such a small chick--a 22 gauge needle and a syringe is required to get it out of the vial--give 1/4 ml daily for 5 days orally. Corid (amprollium) is for treatment of coccidiosis. Here is a list of common respiratory diseases and a link about coccidosis: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/12/coccidiosis-what-backyard-chicken.html

 

[DYarbro97]

Where did you get the chicks?

mypetchicken.com

Look for watery or bubbly eyes, nasal drainage, or swelling around an eye or the face. Is there any diarrhea or puffing up that could be a sign of coccidiosis?

I gave them medicated start for the first bag and now they are on non-medicated. Plus I have been giving them ACV with "mothers" since they were 3 days old.

Check her little crop for any impaction. And make sure they are getting small chick grit since they can get crop impaction easily from grasses and other food besides chick starter.

What is that and how do I check? Their coop is outside with a dirt floor so I didn't think they needed grit since they get it from scratching and pecking. I just started giving them dried mealworms while they have been in the coop for the last week or so. Other then that its been crumbles.

Gallimycin or oxytetracycline would be good to use in the water if you feel she has a respiratory infection. Some also will use Tylan 50 injectable give orally instead of a shot in such a small chick--a 22 gauge needle and a syringe is required to get it out of the vial--give 1/4 ml daily for 5 days orally. Corid (amprollium) is for treatment of coccidiosis.

Where would I get it at, and if I put it in the water will it hurt the other chicks?



Hope you don't take it that I am nit picking your reply, I just know that the more info that is known, the easier it is to pin down the issue.

Thanks for your reply

 

[Eggcessive]

if your soil has little pebbles in it they may not need chick grit, but you can find it in little bags. Antibiotics can be found in most farm stores, and are usually for cattle and other livestock, but the ones I mentioned are also used for chickens. I wouldn't think your chicks have a respiratory disease it it came in the mail unless it was around other chickens or wild birds. It may be just a weaker chick and could have some internal issue, such as a heart problem. The crop is on the chick's right side under the neck, and looks like at little bulge when it is full. Sometimes they can eat long strands of grass or hay, or food too large, and get a hard full crop, called impacted crop. Here is a diagram of anatomy for you:

 

[DYarbro97]

I checked her crop and it doesn't seem like that is the issue. I will hit the feed store tomorrow and see what they have. I may grab some grit even though their coop is dirt/sand. Thanks again for your help.