Newbie with 5wk old chicks sneezing..HELP

[crazychicks4]

Okay, so I've never had a sick chicken before. We have about 14 5 week old chicks that seem to be having a lot of sneezing going on. Just this past week it has started. We did change the bedding from medium size pine flakes to finely cut pine shavings. I don't know if that's the problem or if its because their sick? Could the bedding be causing this? If not what do I do? Any help is greatly appreciated!!

 

[CMV]

How is their air quality overall? Birds do best when their air is as fresh as it can get. Dusty or ammonia-fumed spaces are to their detriment. Describe their living arrangements, please.

Where did you get these chicks? Could they have been exposed to a respiratory illness prior to their arrival? If they came from a reputable hatchery, this is unlikely, but if they came from a small breeder/hobby farm this is a possibility.

 

[crazychicks4]

They are in a brooder in my living room. I change their bedding every other day to keep it dry and fresh. (Plus to keep the smell down) They all came from TSC. Their living environment hasn't changed except for the different size flakes. Went from medium size to basically sawdust.

 

[CMV]

It's probably the change in bedding then.

You should not keep birds in your house. I have also done it many times, so I am not judging, but it isn't good for you unless you have a high powered HEPA filtering/air conditioning unit in your living room, too. Exposure to poultry dust has been linked to higher incidences of lung cancer and compromised lung function. Chickens also carry certain diseases which are transmissible to humans (such as histoplasmosis). I know, I know...I do it, too. But it still isn't good for you. Sorry, that's the healthcare professional talking...I'll shut up now.