Heavy breathing, droopy wings....:( week old

[ten chicks]

Quote: For Pasty butt,clean poop off,dry bottom(use blow dryer on LOW setting,chicks love the heat)put a small amount of vaseline around vent area,this will prevent poop from sticking to feathers. Also add warm water to feed,so it resembles oatmeal,chicks love it and is easier for the frail ones to eat.

 

[Kellip1973]

For Pasty butt,clean poop off,dry bottom(use blow dryer on LOW setting,chicks love the heat)put a small amount of vaseline around vent area,this will prevent poop from sticking to feathers. Also add warm water to feed,so it resembles oatmeal,chicks love it and is easier for the frail ones to eat.

Thank you. I have done that. I just wish I knew what was wrong. The pasty but isn't bad. Just every once in awhile it get stuck. It's little feet are always cold. I lowered the heater for it and have a lamp up higher for the other two so they don't get chilled with space enough to cool down if they need it. The ill one is still coming out for food and water but the condition remains the same.

 

[War Chicken]

I am giving Corid at the moment. However, I don't think there is much change either way. This is day 2 on Corid, so we will see. Thank you!

this particular chick has breathed heavier than the others since hatch. I am beginning to think a possible birth defect? Maybe under developed lungs? That aren't supporting her growth creating an overall weakness? Just a thought...

Coccidiosis would really only explain the diarrhea and not the respiratory symptoms. I'm not surprised the Corid isn't helping.

Birth defects are a remote possibility. Extremely remote. On the other hand, Chlamydia psittaci infects quite a lot of birds, almost 100% of wild pigeons and is highly contagious.

Chlamydia checks all the boxes--respiratory distress, droopy wings, lethargy, and diarrhea.

 

[ten chicks]

Actually some birds do pick up a respiratory infection with Coccidiosis. You would then treat the respiratory infection with something like Tylan. But the Cocci,is still treated with Corid(amprolium).

 

[Kellip1973]

...

Actually some birds do pick up a respiratory infection with Coccidiosis. You would then treat the respiratory infection with something like Tylan. But the Cocci,is still treated with Corid(amprolium).[/quot

It has been breathing heavy since hatch. It hatched on 7-11 so just over a week ago. It seem to be doing fine up until a few days ago. Not growing as quickly as the others but still progressing. Could it have hatched with cocci? Or a respiratory infection? I am new to this and fear I may have missed something from the beginning. Thanks for your help.

 

[ten chicks]

Quote: If the chick hatched with breathing difficulties,then it is probably a weak chick,unfortunately not all make it. A chick will not have hatched with coccidiosis. If breathing issue has been there from day 1,and chick was progressing fine,and has just recently become lethargic,etc.,then i would say either chick has cocci,or some congenital birth defect that is prohibiting chick from thriving.

 

[Kellip1973]

If the chick hatched with breathing difficulties,then it is probably a weak chick,unfortunately not all make it. A chick will not have hatched with coccidiosis. If breathing issue has been there from day 1,and chick was progressing fine,and has just recently become lethargic,etc.,then i would say either chick has cocci,or some congenital birth defect that is prohibiting chick from thriving.

Thank you. I am leaning toward a birth defect that has gotten worse. I am going to continue the Corid treatment for the 5 days recommended. Not sure what options I have after that. Fingers crossed it gets better. I just feel like I am making it suffer.

 

[ten chicks]

Thank you. I am leaning toward a birth defect that has gotten worse. I am going to continue the Corid treatment for the 5 days recommended. Not sure what options I have after that. Fingers crossed it gets better. I just feel like I am making it suffer.

That is all you can do,she will either get better,or unfortunately pass. As heartbreaking as this is,you know that you have done everything possible for this wee one. I always say to hold them,so they know they are loved.

 

[War Chicken]

Thank you. I am leaning toward a birth defect that has gotten worse. I am going to continue the Corid treatment for the 5 days recommended. Not sure what options I have after that. Fingers crossed it gets better. I just feel like I am making it suffer.

The birth defect idea is extremely far fetched. On the other hand, respiratory problems caused by bacteria are very common amongst birds.

Egg transmission of Chlamydia in chickens is possible:

http://www.readcube.com/articles/10.1111/j.1439-0450.1993.tb00162.x

So, yes, they can be hatched infected. It could have also been infected shortly after hatching. I've had birds only a few days old become infected.

There are a lot of things you can try: doxycycline, azithromycin, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline; sold as Terramycin, Duramycin, etc. Let me know if you try any of these as there are some things you need to do to optimize absorption of those antibiotics.

 

[Fancychooklady]

I have found that a dash of apple cider vinegar in the water sorts pasty butt out. Mycoplasma can be transmitted through the egg. I'm sure that if you are in favor of natural remedies, you will be aware of the benefits of probiotics such as yoghurt .