Help!

[Chuckkeeper]

Hi

I've got six 2-3 week old chicks displaying the following smptoms:
Head shaking
Gasping repeatedly
Sneezing every few seconds

I moved them into a warmer room as someone said it could be brooder pneumonia. They still have their heat plate.

They've been treated with Tylan, plus probiotics and tonic.

Currently eating medicated crumb with ACS.

My other chicks are due in a few days and I am so worried that whatever this is will spread.

I know that I can cull, and it may come to that.

I am at a complete loss as to what else I can try, or what might be causing this, or how I can avoid it in the future.

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[AmeliaBedelia]

I would definitely keep the new chicks totally separate - new brooder, change clothes and wash hands well between handling the sick and well birds, etc. And I'd keep the sick chicks indoors - you don't want them shedding a virus into your soil.

Were they vaccinated for Mareks?

 

[Chuckkeeper]

I would definitely keep the new chicks totally separate - new brooder, change clothes and wash hands well between handling the sick and well birds, etc. And I'd keep the sick chicks indoors - you don't want them shedding a virus into your soil.

Were they vaccinated for Mareks?

Thanks for getting back to me. I have moved things around so that new chicks are elsewhere. I'll practise thorough biosecurity.
Someone has suggested that the gasping could be gapeworm. I did think that was unlikely when they hadn't made it outside yet (no access to soil etc). Regardless, I am going to try them with flubenvet as well as DE and some Cocci treatment. After that, I've nothing else to try. I did wonder if this could be aspergillosis. The more I think about it, the more I think I have stifled ventilation at the expense of ensuring warmth.

 

[Chuckkeeper]

I would definitely keep the new chicks totally separate - new brooder, change clothes and wash hands well between handling the sick and well birds, etc. And I'd keep the sick chicks indoors - you don't want them shedding a virus into your soil.

Were they vaccinated for Mareks?

Sorry, didn't reply to your question. No - not vaccinated. If you are UK based could you tell me more about that in terms of accessing/administering? Plus, how would they get it in the first place?

 

[AmeliaBedelia]

I'm in the USA, but I think typically they get it right after hatching. Here you pay a teeny bit more for vaccinated chicks from the hatchery. Doing it yourself isn't usually really an option here since the vaccine is sold in large vials (hundreds of doses) you have to store and prep correctly and then use quickly. Maybe the UK is different? And maybe Mareks is less common there.

 

[AmeliaBedelia]

Hoping it's something else that's more treatable!!

 

[Chuckkeeper]

I'm in the USA, but I think typically they get it right after hatching. Here you pay a teeny bit more for vaccinated chicks from the hatchery. Doing it yourself isn't usually really an option here since the vaccine is sold in large vials (hundreds of doses) you have to store and prep correctly and then use quickly. Maybe the UK is different? And maybe Mareks is less common there.

Thanks for confirming. That supports my current understanding re. vaccines, so not something I can access myself. I will still ask my vet!

 

[AmeliaBedelia]

I'll be praying they all recover!

I've learned that when it doubt, go for ventilation over warmth. As long as they are dry have have access to a warm spot when teeny, they seem to be pretty resilient little beasts. The chick I lost I think may have been from not taking ventilation seriously enough with my first brooder.

 

[Chuckkeeper]

I'll be praying they all recover!

I've learned that when it doubt, go for ventilation over warmth. As long as they are dry have have access to a warm spot when teeny, they seem to be pretty resilient little beasts. The chick I lost I think may have been from not taking ventilation seriously enough with my first brooder.

That's really really helpful. Thank you. To better the ventilation I have decided to move them outside (earlier than I would otherwise have done). Ventilation will be great now, but I am worried about warmth. Luckily there's a few of them and they have a very supportive Silkie.... pic to follow

 

[Chuckkeeper]

I'll be praying they all recover!

I've learned that when it doubt, go for ventilation over warmth. As long as they are dry have have access to a warm spot when teeny, they seem to be pretty resilient little beasts. The chick I lost I think may have been from not taking ventilation seriously enough with my first brooder.