How long do I need to keep a hiccupping chick seperate?

[crazy4eggsJulie]

Two days ago I noticed a chick opening and closing its mouth all day that appeared to be very sick. I also noticed another chick who seems and acts fine but peeps or hiccups constantly. I separated them both and gave them probios. The mouth opener one seems fine now. The hiccupper one is moving and eating and drinking fine, but is still turning its head and hiccupping pretty regularly. I also noticed it seems to make a steady short wheezing noise when it sleeps. They've had the probios mixed in their food for three days now. Can I move them back to the coop or does it sound like something contagious? Another BYC member thought the illness might be due to inhaling wet shavings. Our waterer was leaking when they bumped it and was getting the shavings wet that cover our concrete floor on the coop. I was having to scoop them everyday-but they were getting into it and pecking...We have fixed the problem with a new waterer.

Any thoughts are welcome!

 

[ivan3]

Sorry to hear this. The short answer is that they should remain separated. It is possible they caught something when stressed (cold and wet).

Keep them separated and well nourished until this resolves. If it gets worse or other symptoms emerge, post a detailed description.

Good Luck!