At a loss with what to try next....

[junebuggena]

The vents on the low wall don't need to be very big (about 2 inches around every foot or so), since the opposite wall already has a vent running the whole length of the coop.

 

[ChickyTown]

Ok so after cutting more ventilation, if that is the cause of symptoms, how long before I can expect symptoms to clear up? I'm worried it's something that needs more attention...hoping not of course

 

[Eggcessive]

Do some research on infectious bronchitis, mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG,) and other common poultry diseases.

 

[junebuggena]

Ammonia build up can weaken the immune system, leaving them vulnerable to respiratory infections. Chicks already have fragile immune systems as it is. After addressing the ventilation, keep them on the antibiotic for at least a week. You should start to see improvement in a few days.

 

[enola]

I don't think the problem is ammonia buildup. There are not enough chicks to cause ammonia build up problems. Respiratory distressi in this case seems to be caused by disease.

 

[Akrnaf2]

I don't think the problem is ammonia buildup. There are not enough chicks to cause ammonia build up problems. Respiratory distressi in this case seems to be caused by disease.

Agree
It seems to me like an infection pathogen more then Ammonia,
To reach the point of ammonia buildup in my opinion you need more chickens and
More time! You can perform a little test get Down on your knees on the floor of the coop , and bring your nose to the height of chicken , about 30-40 cm from the floor , if you can breathe normally and don't smell the characteristic odor of ammonia , or feel tingly in your nose then it's not any problem .

 

[ChickyTown]

I honestly don't think it's ammonia ...it's a brand new coop with fresh bedding and 5 small chicks in almost 50 sq ft for just over a week now ...2 are bantams...and I don't notice any strong smell when I'm sitting in there ...they have been on antibiotics for 2 days now still sneezing, but seem totally lively and eating etc. but today I noticed one seems to be getting thinner? Do u think it could be worms? What's the best thing to worm with and can I do it while they finish the antibiotics?

 

[enola]

Five week old chicks should not have a worm overload, unless you got them from an environment that was very ill kept.

I am not sure what you mean by thin. Only a broiler would be a plump chicken at 5 weeks of age.

Do you have a kitchen scale? If you weigh them weekly and they are gaining weight, you probably don't have any thing to worry about .

 

[lindalouly]

I don't think it's ammonia... Where is your heating lamp... At 5 weeks they need heat.... If I remember correctly 95 degrees the first week and subtract 5 degrees the following... Double check cause it's been awhile... Watch to make sure they aren't eating the bedding to sickness.... I always recommend pellets to start with and feed them gaterade and crumb... All you really can do is wait and see. They could have been sick from the hatchery...

 

[lindalouly]

In fact... If you only had them a week I would put bets on the hatchery and would call them to get replacements or money back and have them test their birds.... Chickens are sick a little bit of time before they show symptoms...