Chick sneezing constantly stunted growth

[L_Stowell]

Hi,

First time post, 2 years of learning from this group.

I bought a straight run of 5 mille fluer d'uccles from Meyer almost 3 weeks ago. For one week one chick has been sneezing about every other second. It spends most of it's time under the heat and is generally somewhat listless. It doesn't eat as much or as often as its broodmates. It is stunted in its growth and feather production. Its chirp is weak and breathy. And it breathes more rapidly than the others.

The bedding is paper towels that I change regularly. The brooder is well ventilated, and large, and was thoroughly disinfected with ammonia before they moved in.

Any suggestions on what this could be? Aspergillosis? A malformed lung? I have searched quite a bit and found no other keeper whose chick has the same symptoms. The other 4 chicks are healthy and growing fast.

Thanks in advance,
Luke

 

[Ebony Rose]

No telling if the issues is disease or injury. Disease would likely be contagious. Injury would often (not always) present with ballooning in any area close to an air sac, like a bubble of air under the skin. Birds have many air sacs. Is a veterinarian an option to rule out disease? Does this bird have bubbling of the eyes or moist nostrils? Is their face swollen? Are the nostrils plugged up or excessively dirty? What does the inside, roof of the mouth look like on this bird? Can you post pictures of the bird while not being held, preferably standing; a face view from front and side, and a full body view from the side and from overhead. Pictures of this chicks poop would also be welcome. Pictures will tell a more detailed story to someone with an experienced eye.
In the meantime, some ChickBooster (TM) or other well rounded chick vitamin/mineral supplement and/or some electrolytes may help. Since this one isn't eating enough, you may consider offering hard boiled (or scrambled) eggs... my flock prefers the yolks; add a bit of olive oil (or high quality cooking oil) for some much needed calories; if the chick has grit/sand, you can offer sardines or canned cat food to greatly increase both fat and protein in a way that most chickens find irresistible. Hopefully someone with more experience in this issue will be able to offer further advice or ask questions to help rule out possible problems. @Kiki @Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock

 

[Eggcessive]

Aspergillosis is one possibility. Is there any watery eye or swelling of the face? Do you have any other birds that are older? It doesn’t sound very good for the chick. Keep her warm, and offer some chick feed with a little water and cooked egg yolk. Keep your brooder bedding dry as possible and add new shavings often when soiled. Water should be raised to shoulder height of the smallest chick. Antibiotics would not help if it is aspergillosis or a respiratory virus. Many antibiotics are hard to come by without a vet. Some may treat symptoms of mycoplasma (MG,) but the chicken could be stunted for it’s whole life, or cause lung scarring or even blindness.

 

[L_Stowell]

Thanks for the replies.
Vet not an option. No issues with eyes or nostrils. No injury or airsac issues. Mouth and throat look normal. Poops are all within the normal range. It ants nothing to do with eggs (no matter boiled or scrambled), nor yogurt. Bedding is dry paper towels. Water is at shoulder height.

Chick is gaping now, have decided to cull.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry about your chick. I doubt if there was anything more that could be done. Many states have inexpensive necropsies by state vets if you are interested in getting a diagnosis. The body should be kept cool, not frozen, and delivered or shipped to the state poultry lab. Here is a list of state vets who will discuss how to proceed:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

 

[Ebony Rose]

I'm so sorry about your little one.

 

[L_Stowell]

Thanks everyone. I've dropped off birds before for necropsy and I thought about going to the Georgia Poultry lab near me in Atlanta, but it's a 2 hour drive and have too much on my plate right now.

 

[aart]

If you got them as day olds, and all the other chicks are fine, probably just some kind of 'deformity'...unless is aspirated some feed or water.