Baby chicks sneezing

[greenkjb]

I really hope someone can give me some advice. My husband and I were holding our chicks (exactly three weeks old), and I noticed that a couple of them were sneezing. One of them has a miniscule amount of clear drainage from her nose. They have been inside my house since the day they were born. I bought them 2 hours after they arrived at the feed store. They eat a ton of chick starter and have fresh water at all times. I use a 75 watt red lamp (not a heat lamp, there were none available), but their behavior shows they are warm enough as they lie under the light, but not huddled together and chirp contentedly. I recently switched to cedar shavings from newspaper because it seems like it is cleaner and softer for them. Does anyone know anything about this? Should I be worried or am I just being paranoid? Thanks so much...

 

[ShanCarl1971]

Cedar is BAD!!!!!! It causes respiratory problems in all kinds of birds and small animals!!!! Get them OFF the cedar and change to pine instread!!!!!! The sooner, the better!!!!

 

[Anianna]

Quote:
x2

Get them off the cedar immediately as it causes respiratory distress. Pine shavings or pine pellets are ideal. I use the kind designed for horses because it is less dusty. Whatever you decide to use, just get them off of the cedar.

 

[TriciaHowe]

Quote:
x2

Get them off the cedar immediately as it causes respiratory distress. Pine shavings or pine pellets are ideal. I use the kind designed for horses because it is less dusty. Whatever you decide to use, just get them off of the cedar.

x3

 

[greenkjb]

My bad. I wrote cedar, but meant pine. Sorry it was late last night! No cedar here. Otherwise, I have read other comments on sneezing and it seems like what they have is just normal dust sneezing?
Thanks again!

 

[Noobchick]

Mine do that- if there's not drainage, its normal dusty sneezing. (and man do they make a lot of dust!)

The only thing I'd be concerned about is that you said one of them had clear drainage. Is that still the case?

 

[Anianna]

Quote:
Yea, if there is drainage, that could indicate a problem.

If they are just sneezing every now and then and there is no drainage, I would say it's probably just some dust in their nose, but if there is drainage you may have a respiratory infection that needs to be addressed.

 

[greenkjb]

Okay, have been checking her since I originally posted. Have not seen any drainage since. Maybe my paranoia was making me imagine it? Good to know that any drainage is not normal. I will watch them closely. Thanks for the help.
Kate