Help! Sick Baby Chicks!

[Newbie_Chicken_Lady]

Help! I have 4 baby chicks that I got from TSC one week ago. They are all different breeds and one has been sneezing and has some nasal discharge. This morning I noticed another one sneezing. Over the past couple days there has been some peanut butter poop. But I have watched the one that poops the stinky peanut butter poop do it and then 30 minutes later he poops normally. One seems less energetic for treats now (we feed them a little hard boiled egg yolk every once in a while). The water is changed every day and the bedding is dry. It is changed twice a week. They have food available all the time and they seem to be eating fine. I don’t know what is wrong! HELP!

 

[Newbie_Chicken_Lady]

They also have enough space. They are not pecking at each other extensively. Yesterday I cleaned their vents, they did not have pasty butt, just some gunk on their feathers under their vents. I made sure to dry them off. If you could please help me that would be appreciated by the chicks and I.

 

[Newbie_Chicken_Lady]

Here is a picture of the peanut butter poop.

 

[Eggcessive]

The peanut butter poop could be cecal poop, the occaional normal sticky shiny ones that come from the ceca in the intestines. Sneezing can be caused by dust in feed or pine shavings, but they should not be doing that every few minutes. How were they housed at TSC? Were they in an open bin or were they kept from the public? This year I have noticed ours has them in sealed stacked bins which is easier to keep them away from customers’ germs, so they are less exposed.

I would make sure the bedding stays dry and clean to keep down odors especially when they get a little bigger and their droppings are strong. Make sure they have good air circulation but stay warm. They should not have anything contagious at this time. Make sure the less energetic one is drinking well. Poultry NutriDrench 1-2 drops daily can give a boost to a weak chick.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

4 baby chicks that I got from TSC one week ago. They are all different breeds and one has been sneezing and has some nasal discharge. This morning I noticed another one sneezing. Over the past couple days there has been some peanut butter poop. But I have watched the one that poops the stinky peanut butter poop do it and then 30 minutes later he poops normally.

The peanut butter poop is probably Cecal poop. Hard to tell the color with the red light, but from what I see that's normal.

Sneezing - how much ventilation in the brooder? Do you have a photo of the whole brooder?

 

[Newbie_Chicken_Lady]

The peanut butter poop could be cecal poop, the occaional normal sticky shiny ones that come from the ceca in the intestines. Sneezing can be caused by dust in feed or pine shavings, but they should not be doing that every few minutes. How were they housed at TSC? Were they in an open bin or were they kept from the public? This year I have noticed ours has them in sealed stacked bins which is easier to keep them away from customers’ germs, so they are less exposed.

I would make sure the bedding stays dry and clean to keep down odors especially when they get a little bigger and their droppings are strong. Make sure they have good air circulation but stay warm. They should not have anything contagious at this time. Make sure the less energetic one is drinking well. Poultry NutriDrench 1-2 drops daily can give a boost to a weak chick.

They were kept in an open top open to the public but in a close top chicken run. Also where should I get the NutriDrench?

 

[Newbie_Chicken_Lady]

My brooder top is open. I think it is fine. Here is a photo. Half is blocked off until they are old enough.

 

[Newbie_Chicken_Lady]

I am happy to report that the chicks seem to be doing fine, except for the occasional sneeze. They are quite rowdy so that is a good sign. Already starting to jump and they have only been with us for 8 days!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

They were kept in an open top open to the public but in a close top chicken run. Also where should I get the NutriDrench?

My brooder top is open. I think it is fine. Here is a photo. Half is blocked off until they are old enough.

I am happy to report that the chicks seem to be doing fine, except for the occasional sneeze. They are quite rowdy so that is a good sign. Already starting to jump and they have only been with us for 8 days!

They will outgrow that tub in a hurry. Is your coop/run ready for them?

Glad to hear they are doing fine.

 

[Newbie_Chicken_Lady]

We will be getting the coop and run soon. Also probably next week we will open up the second part of the tub. This is my first time owning chickens, but so far seems to be going well. Thank you for the help!