New chicks seem to be sneezing

[Michael Apple]

Thank you Michael! I had already opened the package so i probably cant bring it back. I will go look for the meds you suggest though. Probably good to have around. The other stuff is Tetrocycline. There is less sneezing today I think. It's such a tiny sneeze to notice.

The gluey stuff under the lil Rock's wing is less but still there. No abraisions... and no one is bugging her about it... its a mystery.

This may sound like a stupid question, but I would like to get a silkie chick. How long should I wait to add her to this flock. I haven't gotten her, but just looking right now.

You're welcome. If you get a chance, take that chick and gently hold it while using a cotton ball to see what that "gluey stuff" is. Rub it off gently to see what it might be out of curiosity.

I don't like to mix birds of different sizes or vast differences between breeds. Crested birds generally get picked at by non-crested, and smaller, docile breeds get picked on by the larger, more aggressive ones. Chickens are quite clannish. I've had mixed flocks of Barred Rocks, Wyandottes, Aracaunas, Australorps, Marans, and Dominiques without much trouble for example. Many years ago with less experience, I had some Polish that had to be separated because they were getting picked on by some of the larger breeds.

 

[blipit007]

Hi, Update here... I took them off the antibiotic in the water about a week ago. Many people said that if they really need the antibiotic in the future, it wont work if I pump them with it now. So I have them on their second 5lb bag of medicated chick feed. Almost done with it, and then I will switch to the non medicated. I also think I was oversensitive about the sneezing. It just seems like it is something they do from time to time. Otherwise they are happy and seemingly healthy. Other then the occasional diarrhea... Which puzzles me. I call it "excited diarrhea" as it really only occurs when they get excited at playtime. I also have them on Electrolytes and Probiotics in their water. The only thing I am not doing is offering them plain water. There is not much room in the brooder for another water-er. Is that stupid of me?

 

[Michael Apple]

Hi, Update here... I took them off the antibiotic in the water about a week ago. Many people said that if they really need the antibiotic in the future, it wont work if I pump them with it now. So I have them on their second 5lb bag of medicated chick feed. Almost done with it, and then I will switch to the non medicated. I also think I was oversensitive about the sneezing. It just seems like it is something they do from time to time. Otherwise they are happy and seemingly healthy. Other then the occasional diarrhea... Which puzzles me. I call it "excited diarrhea" as it really only occurs when they get excited at playtime. I also have them on Electrolytes and Probiotics in their water. The only thing I am not doing is offering them plain water. There is not much room in the brooder for another water-er. Is that stupid of me?

Antibiotics are not to be used liberally. The fact is they are the only way to control/eradicate certain diseases which can overwhelm a bird's immune system. Weak birds are often culled in the industry, and also years of "preventative use" of antibiotics have contributed to antibiotic resistant strains of some microorganisms. I don't believe veterinary science has been dedicated to the poultry industry since the industry doesn't demand it. Production and sale of chicks is so cheap, culling rather than curing is the preferred method. This actually proves to be a great loss to industry when major outbreaks of disease take place. Down to the backyard flock owner, they are faced with a system at odds with compassion for the birds they view as pets. There are plenty of vets and companies capitalizing off this as well, with bad information and garbage product. For some, it is all about the money unfortunately. I believe all of God's creatures deserve a chance at quality of life, even those, for a time, we eventually choose to eat. Who wants to eat unhealthy food anyway?

Don't want to get too far off subject here. You may just be typically concerned as a new poultry keeper. That's just being responsible, so long as it doesn't cause anxiety, or improper husbandry. I'm always concerned with new chicks or birds, and I've had them for over 30 years. Daily cecal droppings are generally a rich, brown color and pasty. Those are the last of digestive contents before newer digested food enters to caeca (blindsacs at the beginning of the rectum which assist enzymatic breakdown of food). So long as you don't see persistent watery or pasty droppings, there's no reason to be concerned.

It is important to always follow directions, not only with medication, but with supplements as well. The type of vitamins-electrolytes I use, generally call for 3 day treatments in the water at a time. When raising chicks, I prefer the highest quality organic start and grow feed. The earliest I have begun helping with Cocci immunity is 2 weeks of age. I use Corid (Amprolium) in the water at 5 day intervals until they are at least 8 weeks. I treat after that if I see symptoms. It has been many years since I had respiratory trouble with any chicks. I remember using a Tylan soluble powder to treat it and the symptoms were gone in a few days. Keep a watchful eye on them and enjoy watching them grow.