Normal chick?

[77horses]

Yes, she sometimes sneezes. I'm sure it's coming from her nose. when she sneezes, a little bubble of snot comes out, but it's not constantly. It's just a little bit of runny clear stuff, and it's usually hard to notice because it's so little. I'm worried about the rest of the flock, though. The chicks don't live with them, but I'm worried that the other flock will catch something. One of our old hens has been coughing a few weeks ago, or sneezing loudly, like she was trying to get something out of her nose. And our buffs sneeze once and a while, but not severely. This is the first time that we have brought new chickens into our flock. The rest of the flock was raised from us. But before we even got these new chicks, one of the younger hens sneezed once in a great while.

 

[Wynette]

Well, sneezing once in awhile without any discharge is completely normal. I have a hen that, even since she was a chick, has always sneezed once in awhile. Like maybe once every 30-60 minutes. It's just a small sneeze, not accompanied by any discharge, and she's perfectly healthy otherwise.

It could be some type of contaminant in the air, or someone could be spraying fields nearby if you live in the country...could be so many things. Sneezes in general don't upset me, but the discharge is what would be a bit worrisome to me. I don't know what you can do, other than keep watching them closely. I've got a REALLY GROSS pic of a cocci poo....let me post it here....it's an extreme close-up, so don't vomit when you see it! Anyway, this is NOT normal, and if you see a poo like this, you've got issues:

 

[silkiechicken]

That looks like a not so bad cocci poo... Should have got a pic when mine had it.. oh boy, one day they got lethargic, and before I got back from the store the next day, they were pooping blood laced poos, as red as well.. fresh liquidy blood!

Are they possibly getting chilled?

 

[Wynette]

Oh, man, Silkie...that would have scared the...well...you know...out of me! This one was bad enough...all mucousy and...YECH. I thought it was a worm at first.

 

[77horses]

uh oh.....

those red parts sorta look like what's in Pumpkin's poop.....

But her whole droppings don't look like that....
But her poop has been like that a while...didn't you say that it happens after she becomes lethargic? she's been normal and healthy lately....

 

[Wynette]

Mine were a bit lethargic; still eating and drinking, just not running around as much as they should have been. I think, if yours seem to be fine other than the sneezing, maybe you should just watch closely for now, and add the grit you have on hand to see if that changes their poops any.

You might also consider adding AviaCharge 2000 to their drinking water. I'm a huge believer in that stuff; it's kelp based and has lots of vitamins and minerals that are very good for chickens. It won't hurt, may help.

 

[77horses]

Quote:
Where can I get this stuff? at a pet store?

Thankss again for all the replies! it really helps!

P.S. can lice be a cause of any of this? they are crawling with lice at the moment, but we will be putting the powder on them as soon as we can. nasty buggers, those lice are....

 

[Wynette]

I wouldn't think lice would cause sneezing or discharge...but could be causing unusual poops. You can get Sulmet at most feed stores or your local farm supply store. I wouldn't treat them for cocci, though, unless you're pretty certain. It sure sounds like you should do the lice treatment, give them grit, and just watch them closely. Do what you're comfortable with; I'm not big on treating unless I'm pretty certain, but of course, everyone has their comfort level. I think if they are eating and drinking well, whatever it is cannot be that serious...JMO, though.

 

[77horses]

OK thanks!
but where can my dad get this AviaCharge? I know that McMurray hatchery has it for sale, but do any pet stores sell it so we could just drive to pick it up??? and if we do get it, how much do we put in the water???
Thanks again for all the replies!

 

[Wynette]

To my knowledge, you can't get Avia Charge 2000 in a store. I order mine from Stromberg's online. It's quite concentrated; you only use a tsp. per gallon. It looks like coke (cola) when it's mixed up.