Help. Why is he doing this and what do I do?

[azygous]

If you can find a very narrow oral syringe, you can inject the liquid directly into the esophagus. Like this:

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Haven’t seen him poop, yet. Had him on my lap for a while He’s super tired, tough fighting to get some food in his mouth hasn’t helped his energy.

I’ve used the pellets with two other clutches without issue.

I would only be trying to get fluids into him, but I would still look inside the beak for obstruction.
IF he's not pooped, he may be constipated.

 

[TonkaTrucker]

As the others have mentioned, it's important to keep this little one's energy up by frequent special feeding and warm sugar water. It helps to dip the beak into the sugar water to get it to drink or dribble some on the side of the beak and it will suck it in.

It does appear it is suffering from respiratory distress. It might also be constipated from the frequent chirps. Have you watched it try to poop? If not, stand by after it eats and watch what it does when it poops.

If the chick seems to ramp up the chirping and it appears it's straining to poop, it's constipated and will need oil treatment. I recommend coconut oil slightly chilled and the shave off small pieces and pry the beak open and slip them in, close the beak so it swallows, repeat until you get about half a teaspoon of oil into it.

As @Wyorp Rock mentioned, if the brooder bedding you're using has an aroma, the fumes may be causing respiratory distress.

Not constipated. Just had a wallop of a poop.

Dipped the beak in a bit more sugar water and gave him some more yolk. Letting him have a bit of a breather again.

Thank you, by the way. I realize I didn’t say thank you to the others who have taken the time to read and offer advice. I definitely appreciate it

 

[TonkaTrucker]

I would only be trying to get fluids into him, but I would still look inside the beak for obstruction.
IF he's not pooped, he may be constipated.

He’s so wriggly when I try to open his beak, I’m afraid I’m going to break his little neck

Just had a massive poop and his noise quieted for a bit, and just as I type this I can hear it the tiniest bit.

Thank you, by the way. I appreciate you taking the time to read and offer advice on my situation. Apologies I didn’t say as such before!

 

[azygous]

I have a feeling your chick was constipated, and giving it the sugar water helped it poop. It will hurt nothing to give it a little coconut oil to be sure the blockage has completely cleared. A poop is good, but there may very well be more backed up.y the way, I know the signs of constipation, having had chicks suffering from it. They get very, very sick, and look and sound like your chick.

In the event the chick continues to sneeze and wheeze, if you have a vaporizer or mister, you could set that up over the chick to help it breathe easier.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

He’s so wriggly when I try to open his beak, I’m afraid I’m going to break his little neck

Just had a massive poop and his noise quieted for a bit, and just as I type this I can hear it the tiniest bit.

Thank you, by the way. I appreciate you taking the time to read and offer advice on my situation. Apologies I didn’t say as such before!

For tiny chicks like that I give them fluids 1 drop at a time on the side of the beak, let them take it in (the liquid sort of "seeps" in).
You can also dip a Q-Tip in the liquid and press it against the beak.
Chicks can aspirate fluids if syringed, so I usually don't do that.

I'm glad he pooped and the noise is quieting down. Possibly was constipated. I would get fluids into him first , then see if he will eat a little mushy wet chick starter.

 

[TonkaTrucker]

He has pooped a couple times, and is back to eating on his own and not making his weird little sounds!

Thank you @KrystinaMayKennedy @cocoafromspain @Momplus1 @Wyorp Rock and @azygous !

Hopefully he continues on the good side of things

 

[StuBri]

Is this little guy still doing okay?

 

[TonkaTrucker]

Is this little guy still doing okay?

He is! He’s our only chocolate type colored chick, so I’m happy he’s pulled through alright. ☺