Help! Sneezing chicks & blood in brooder...

[sillyovrsilkies]

I have 5 Ameraucanas and 3 Silkie chicks in a brooder (inside the house b/c even w/ heat lamps it's pretty cold in the garage) and I noticed yesterday one of the Ameracanas sneeze, but I didn't think too much of it. Last night before going to bed, I went to check on them and found seveal of them now sneezing and what appeared to be blood in a few fecal droppings. I immediately started them on Sulmet in their waterer (b/c that's what I had on hand) using 1/2 tsp in a 1 qt. waterer (assuming cocci). They have been on medicated feed and I clean out their brooder several times per day also changing their waterer to ensure it's clean. I'm really unsure how this happened. Is there anything else I should be doing for them? Other than the sneezing & blood, none appear sick. They're up running around and seem lively. Any help you could offer would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Zanna]

http://www.chat.allotment.org.uk/index.php?topic=17568.0
Check out the link above of pics of normal poops, I am guessing what you are seeing is not blood............... Occasional sneezing is not abnormal. Hope this helps!

 

[sillyovrsilkies]

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Yes, I've seen this website...very interesting indeed! But, what I'm seeing looks similiar to the pics captioned as "shed intestinal lining," is this possible w/ chicks or only older birds?

Should I take them off the Sulmet or leave it as a precaution???? (Again, they're on medicated feed).

 

[speckledhen]

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It's common, even on medicated feed and in spite of cleanliness. Sneezing can be from dust alone since when they shed fuzz, it flies everywhere.