Bubble on shoulder – won’t pop

[MI-CHick]

We picked up 4 rir chicks a couple of weeks ago. The smallest had pasty butt so we fed her yogurt, cleaned her butt and she is doing great.

The biggest one, maybe a month old didn’t seem right. Her one eye was goopy so we cleaned it with a damp cloth and put on neosporin and it seems to be better but then I noticed an air bubble or something between her wing and shoulder. Tonight we tried to pop it but it won’t go down and hubby thinks it is somehow connected to her lung/breathing. Any thoughts on this?

 

[CMV]

It's likely one of her air sacs. I would leave it be unless you know what you are doing.

 

[MI-CHick]

Thank you for your advice. This morning she was still with us, not better, not worse but her eyes were both goopy so I cleaned them. Unfortunately a few hours later the kids heard a squawk and she was on her side not breathing.

 

[CMV]

These birds sound like they are infected with a respiratory disease. Do you know about respiratory diseases in poultry?

 

[MI-CHick]

I don’t know about respiratory disease but the other 3 chicks are doing fine. Once we cleaned up pasty butt and gave her yogurt, she was fine.

 

[CMV]

Yeah...about that... You should probably do some research on respiratory diseases in poultry.

Good luck.

 

[Adenium]

I think what CMV was getting at is that once chickens have a respiratory illness, they will always have it....whether you treat it or not. It may lay dormant for a bit, but in times of stress or when the immune system is taxed by one thing or another it will flare. Any new birds you bring in will be exposed. Anyone you give these birds to down the road (not saying you would) would have their birds exposed. At some point it may very well kill them.

Many choose to preemptively kill birds that are infected. Many choose to treat them and help them limp along and just keep a closed flock (nobody comes in, nobody goes out). Your other 3, while appearing fine, have already had this exposure.

Not saying what you should or shouldn't do, just letting you know. As CMV said, there is a lot of info on this, but I just wanted to give you the overview if you aren't familiar with this issue.

 

[MI-CHick]

Thank you for all your information. A second chick now has an eye and neck problem and probably won't make it through the night. The other two, are fine

 

[Adenium]

Sorry to hear the troubles are expanding. Wish I could offer you expert advice, but while I've read a lot on here I am no expert!

 

[MI-CHick]

Thank you again for your advice and support. Unfortunately last night the second one was in obvious pain and we were concerned about the other two. We did not want to put the health of our 2 years (not exposed) in jeopardy and as a result, we have permanently removed the chicks.