Is it okay if chicks sneeze?

[theabee]

I have 6, month old chicks. Every once and a while, they sneeze. Different ones every time I think, and it's not constant.

I am not using anything dusty it their brooder. I am just using a newspaper and a shelf liner (never doing that again, it's a pain to clean. it takes an hour a day to clean the brooder. maybe deep litter next time...) Their brooder does not smell at all because I clean it out everyday.

I can't think of any other reasons why they would have respiratory problems! Am I just freaking out for no reason? Do chicks just sneeze sometimes? I have a feeling that may be the case.

Anyway, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks!

 

[Judy]

It's not really uusual. They will sneeze because of an irritant just as we do. Their own dander can do it, or sniffing a bit of the dust from feed or litter. Also, if you use DE at all, even a little bit in the nose will cause this, too. it is highly irritating to the respiratory tract.