Can chicks choke? HELP!

[gumpsgirl]

My chicks that are in question here are 4 wks. old now and I thought they were over the infectious coryza. I switched their starter food this morning to the Dumor brand chick starter/grower, which is bigger than the co-op chick starter I was feeding them. I didn't think there would be any issue here because it is supposed to be chick starter. Well, I have gone to check on them and 2 of them looked like they were gasping for air. I opened one of the BR's beaks and noticed that it had food stuck in the back of its throat. One of the d'Uccles is doing the same thing. I managed to get d'Uccle to throw up (don't ask how!) and he still seems to be gasping a bit. There also seems to be a lot of mucus in their mouths and throats. I am at my whit's end with these chickens! I feel like we get one problem taken care of and now another pops up. Please HELP!!!

 

[arlee453]

You can take a zippy bag and fill with the larger starter and roll it with a rolling pin to make the crumbs smaller.

You can also put it in the blender...

Maybe that might help?

 

[Wynette]

Oh, goodness...now something ELSE! I fed Dumor to my chicks and never had an issue; I believe they were 4 weeks when I started them on it. A few ended up with weird feathering issues, so I switched them to a different brand and it was resolved. I can't imagine it would be too big for them, but I'm not an expert! Good luck!

 

[arlee453]

In thiinking about this a bit more...maybe they just over stuffed their crops?

I've had mine do that occasionally - especially if I've accidently let the feed run out and then they all make a mad dash for the feeder and gorge themselves. They will back away from the feeder with their mouths open breathing hard...sort of like ME when I over eat at the Golden Corral buffet on 99 cent kids night.

BTW...for those with kids.... Tuesdays are 99 cent kids buffet night - two 99 cent kids can eat with each adult paying. Our family of 6 can eat for around $25 TOTAL. Less than McDonalds, and a great variety of good veggies, etc! The buffet rule is they have to eat at least 4 different colors before they get to hit the dessert bar!

 

[Wynette]

Off post topic, but Arlee - love your "4-different color" rule!

 

[gumpsgirl]

I don't think I mentioned that I did remove the food and gave them some starter grit in place of it. I have gone out to check on them just now and they all seem to be doing better. I guess I'll try the rolling pin deal to see if I can get the crumbles smaller. Their feeder was empty, so it's quite possible they over stuffed themselves in a quick amount of time.

The little buggers! I swear, if I make it until next spring and still have chickens around I will very excited!

Arlee - Thanks for the 99 cents tip! We have a Golden Corral that is supposed to be opening up soon here and that will be great! Most of my kids are to old to eat as children, but 2 of them still can.

 

[s6bee]

I've never had a chick choke or at least that I have witnessed, but I've seen them go at the food as if they will never be fed again and can see that happening.
Do you give them crumble or pellet?

 

[gumpsgirl]

Quote:
It is chick starter crumbles. Sheesh! The little pigs! All I need now is for them to choke to death on me.

 

[SpottedCrow]

I had to break up some of the bigger pellets for Penny...
And it is possible, like if they eat too quickly because they're too hungry.

LOL Arlee.

 

[gumpsgirl]

Thank you all for your help with this! Sheesh! I don't need anymore chicken issues.