Chicks with clear drainage.

[crazyhen]

My chicks are 10 weeks old. Healthy bo's. I went on vacation and hired a person who said she knew how to care for them for a week. I explained and even wrote it all down. About ventilation etc.
When i returned I have two babies with a clear nasal drainage. She had left the big heat lamp on even when it was in the high 60's no ventilation. I have changed that situation but what else can I do. I cleaned up any damp spots and put in new shavings. they are eating and are active. No lig. poop. Do I need to add vitamins to the water or use vet rx? I hated so bad to leave them and now this. Jean

 

[JennsPeeps]

I'd definitely go for electrolytes in the very least. It's not (edited: useful) to give them antibiotics unless they are suffering from an infection.

How long have they been like this?

Can someone else chime in with ideas and advice?

 

[hinkjc]

I agree..vitamins and electrolytes for a couple days in their water. Continue to monitor for new symptoms and post if you see anything unusual. Every symptom can be helpful in determining what's going on with them. For now it's a wait and see. I hope they pull thru ok for you.

 

[spook]

I agree, if all they are having is the clear nasal drainage, just wait and watch. You know, if its some of those sneezie, coughy things, then there was nothing could have been done different. More then likely would have developed this whether you were home or not. Sometimes just allow nature to take its course, and the only way a antibiotic would help is if they have a secondary infection. You can tell those symptoms really quick, gasping, gurgling or wheezing.
Other then that, your home, and they are ok.
(It could be viral and it could have come home from grain bags to grocery bags. ) Good luck and I'm sure they will be fine, as long as they had water and feed, chickens can with stand the Southern states and below the equator- which is hotter then hatties!

 

[speckledhen]

If there is heavy ammonia, that will cause it. Drinking too fast will, too. They dunk up to their eyeballs sometimes and get water up their noses. Just that symptom, as I pmd you, shouldn't scare you, really; Just watch them.

 

[crazyhen]

thanks everyone.
Speckled hen I had posted this before you answered my pm. I guess I was a bit premature in doing so. I will watch them carefully. They are my babies, fluffy little butts.
I may have a roo in the bunch. Remember I said something one time about a greenish legged one. Well it has turned red around the comb. the comb itself is not so much larger though. I don't see any sickle feathers but don't know if they are due yet. Does anyone know? They are 10 weeks. Jean

 

[speckledhen]

That one is probably on the verge of showing pointy saddle feathers, if its a cockerel. Part the feathers on the back, just above the tail and look to see if shiny, skinny feathers are coming in.

 

[crazyhen]

the new feathers seem to be going to come in but they are just hard spikes right now. . Yep I am afraid it is a he. Not a full orp either. Jean