This is my first time having chicks. I picked them up almost two weeks ago from a local feed store. They were flown in, and likely 1 day to 3 days old when I first brought them home. I have no idea how long they were in transit. One of the chicks is a buff orpington, it was the smallest when they arrived and has constantly slept much more than the others, she still eats and drinks, but sleeps more.
Yesterday when I got home from work I could hear a strange sounding chirp from the brooder. It was not as high-pitched as the rest and sounded crackly or raspy for lack of better wording. I took a look and noticed the smallest chick (orpington) was stretching her neck into the air and making the strange sound. It looks as if she is "gasping for air". She also shakes her head a lot while making strange sounds. She isn't running around like the rest of her flock. She stands there with her eyes closed and her head drooping. This morning her bum is messy looking, not pasty but the feathers do not look clean, and she keeps preening the area.
The brooder is a large-dog wire crate with cardboard around the bottom 6 inches to keep the shavings in. I got the shavings from a local sawmill and I can't guarantee that there is not cedar shavings mixed into them.
They are on chick starter, and I change their water 2-3 times a day. They have a lamp and thermometer and the brooder is around 30-32 degrees Celsius.
The other birds are not showing signs of sickness at this point.
The local feed store recommended tetracycline (powdered). I purchased some but am unsure of what ratio to use for a 1 quart chick waterer. Also should I use it full strength as listed for chickens?
I hope to treat at home as the vet here is mighty $$$$
Yesterday when I got home from work I could hear a strange sounding chirp from the brooder. It was not as high-pitched as the rest and sounded crackly or raspy for lack of better wording. I took a look and noticed the smallest chick (orpington) was stretching her neck into the air and making the strange sound. It looks as if she is "gasping for air". She also shakes her head a lot while making strange sounds. She isn't running around like the rest of her flock. She stands there with her eyes closed and her head drooping. This morning her bum is messy looking, not pasty but the feathers do not look clean, and she keeps preening the area.
The brooder is a large-dog wire crate with cardboard around the bottom 6 inches to keep the shavings in. I got the shavings from a local sawmill and I can't guarantee that there is not cedar shavings mixed into them.
They are on chick starter, and I change their water 2-3 times a day. They have a lamp and thermometer and the brooder is around 30-32 degrees Celsius.
The other birds are not showing signs of sickness at this point.
The local feed store recommended tetracycline (powdered). I purchased some but am unsure of what ratio to use for a 1 quart chick waterer. Also should I use it full strength as listed for chickens?
I hope to treat at home as the vet here is mighty $$$$