Chicks having a hard time breathing

[Aliviasoko]

Hi there, I’m a first time chicken owner and recently decided to add chicks to my flock. I’ve had four baby chicks that I’ve gotten from a private breeder and slowly all of them have developed gaping breathing and sneezing. I’ve reach out to get help or an idea of how to go about treating them and have had no luck.. two chicks have already passed and I could use help figuring out what it is and what could be wrong. They are about 7 weeks old bantam frizzles. I believe it some sort of respiratory issue. They keep sneezing then extending their necks out to get air.

 

[nuthatched]

Was this breeder npip? Have these chicks been around your flock?

 

[Aliviasoko]

Was this breeder npip? Have these chicks been around your flock?

I want to say yes but am uncertain and yes they were in a run next to the bigger run with my older chickens.

 

[nuthatched]

I want to say yes but am uncertain and yes they were in a run next to the bigger run with my older chickens.

Separate them away from your flock asap. Double check their npip status.

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. Sorry for your loss. What is your location? It sounds like the chicks may have a chronic respiratory disease such as MG (mycoplasma,) but there are others. MG is transmitted by a carrier, contamination from carriers owned by the breeder, and through hatching eggs. To identify the disease, I would get a necropsy done by your state vet of any other that dies. Tylosin or Denagard are the most common treatments for MG. They will be carriers if they have MG, and some other diseases can make them carriers. Here is a list of state vets where a necropsy and testing can be done:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

 

[Aliviasoko]

Separate them away from your flock asap. Double check their npip status.

What do I do from there if they are npip?

 

[Aliviasoko]

Welcome to BYC. Sorry for your loss. What is your location? It sounds like the chicks may have a chronic respiratory disease such as MG (mycoplasma,) but there are others. MG is transmitted by a carrier, contamination from carriers owned by the breeder, and through hatching eggs. To identify the disease, I would get a necropsy done by your state vet of any other that dies. Tylosin or Denagard are the most common treatments for MG. They will be carriers if they have MG, and some other diseases can make them carriers. Here is a list of state vets where a necropsy and testing can be done:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

Thank you. Can I get tylosin over the counter? And is there any other preventative steps I can take?

 

[nuthatched]

What do I do from there if they are npip?

If their birds are carrying diseases you need to let them know so they can do something about it, npip usually indicates the birds are tested for diseases.

 

[coach723]

You can get Tylosin online at pigeon and pet bird suppliers,
this is one source:
https://jedds.com/products/tylosin-powder

 

[Wyorp Rock]

recently decided to add chicks to my flock. I’ve had four baby chicks that I’ve gotten from a private breeder and slowly all of them have developed gaping breathing and sneezing.

they were in a run next to the bigger run with my older chickens.

Welcome To BYC

Sorry for your losses.

How long were the new chicks beside your Existing Flock (older chickens) before you noticed the newbies showing symptoms?