My chickens are panting?

Calmkl

Chirping
Jan 27, 2021
55
171
96
Northwest Arkansas
They are about 11 weeks old one pullet and one cockerel. They legit look like dogs panting, they are constantly going from sitting to standing while they do it. The cockerel also has some awful poop going on, it's really running and the smell is awful I haven't noticed a cecal, not sure if I spelled that right, poop from him in a bit either but I'm not always around so who knows. He is currently being treated for sour crop so maybe that's why he's having poop problems? He also acts like he's dieing of thirst, draining the water before the girls can get to it. Her crop is doing fine. Their feathers seem messy for a lack of a better term and I feel like more are falling out then should be. They sneeze occasionally but not enough for me to feel like that's a problem. Eyes and nostrils are fine, vent normal. I was giving vetrx but it didn't seem to make a difference and then he got sour crop so I chose to focus on getting that better first. Do to circumstances they still live inside so the "coop" is cleaned regularly and the circulation is good. I have been giving all 3 of them poultry cell the last couple days, hoping that helps. A vet isn't an option at the moment, I work off commission and covid has made it hard to get a steady check. At first I though maybe they were just to hot but I open my balcony door at night to let fresh air in and it getting chilly and they still do it. Tonight my littlest one started doing it as well, she's about 7 weeks old, so I'm starting to get a little worried. Both girls seem fine in the poop area. And besides some bullying of the littlest one they seem happy and active, they eat just fine. I can't decide if I'm over reacting or if there might actually be a problem. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
Do they have access to the outdoors?
Feathers are unkempt but they don't look like they are "not well". They need access to dirt for a dust bath and some sunshine.

Is the crop issue resolving? Even if it is, I would finish the course of yeast cream for the full 7 days twice a day like you should be doing.
 
I understand you are struggling getting them outside, but the sooner the better.
You realize if you give them dirt inside you will have a LOT of dust everywhere and I mean everywhere. Not good for you.

It would be best for them to dust bath outside.
 
I understand you are struggling getting them outside, but the sooner the better.
You realize if you give them dirt inside you will have a LOT of dust everywhere and I mean everywhere. Not good for you.

It would be best for them to dust bath outside.

I figured I would clean off a section of my balcony to let them dust bath, it's outside but covered from the rain. They just have to be supervised cause it's on the second floor and I don't want them jumping over the ledge.
 
I understand you are struggling getting them outside, but the sooner the better.

My brother's are suppose to be collecting buildings supplies for the coop since they work in construction and can often keep left over scraps and such. My goal for the day is to decide on my coop design and dimensions so we can hopefully get started on it fairly soon.
 
Oh! That would be much better LOL
Seriously, I've had week old chicks in the house and the amount of dust they can create from a pie pan of dirt is unreal! The balcony sounds good!

For single birds I use a dish pan. Usually it's just dirt from my yard, but you could probably get a bad of garden soil and use that. Look for something that is not treated nor has fertilizer in it of course. A bit of sand worked in would be good too.
Do you have a Home Depot or Lowe's? Look for a "medium mixing tub" these are usually found where the bags of concrete are kept. This would work great and the price is usually reasonable. I have several of these and use them for different projects, etc.

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I would imagine they can make an insane mess with dirt, I've see what they can do with wood chips just using their feet haha. Awesome I've got a Walmart, orschlens and Lowes all within a mile or so of each other so I guess we will just try and get all our shopping done in one go today. Thank you so much for all your help.
 
They are about 11 weeks old one pullet and one cockerel. They legit look like dogs panting, they are constantly going from sitting to standing while they do it. The cockerel also has some awful poop going on, it's really running and the smell is awful I haven't noticed a cecal
He is currently being treated for sour crop so maybe that's why he's having poop problems? He also acts like he's dieing of thirst, draining the water before the girls can get to it. Her crop is doing fine. Their feathers seem messy for a lack of a better term
Can you post some photos of the chicks, their poop and where they are kept?

How are you treating the sour crop issue?

The cockerel is drinking all of the water - so perhaps a larger dish/water station so the girls are going without?

What do you feed including treats?
Do they have grit available?

What is the temperature?

Have you ever treated for Coccidiosis?
Are you in the US?
 
They stay in a giant bird cage that takes up a good portion of my room, it's dark and I don't want to turn the light on and make them mad to take a picture haha. When I'm home they are out running around and scaring the other animals in the house. I'm treating the sour crop with monistat, can't remember the exact drug name at the moment, following directions I found on another post here. They have multiple water areas so the girls aren't going without.
I feed them Purina flock raisers, not a lot of treats since they are still young. I did give them a little bit of a paleo pumpkin bread the other night. They do have grit available.
The older two were given medicated feed before I got them but the littlest was not and the breeder said they stay as natural as possible so I doubt she was treated for it. I am in the US, Northwest Arkansas temp is currently 45.
 
I can get a good picture of them and the cage tomorrow. The littlest has gotten all the camera time lately.
I forgot I gave them scrambled eggs with garlic the other day, when we started working on his sour crop.
 

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