Otherwise healthy chick is sneezing - How concerned should I be?

[lisahaschickens]

I have 15 chicks that are almost three weeks old, and this is my first time with chicks. This morning I heard a tiny little noise that I thought could be a sneeze but I didn't see where it came from. Just now I went back out to see them and I found the one that is making the noise. I THINK it is sneezing but I have no real idea... it sounds like tiny little puffs of air now and again and he/she moves his head a little when he does it. He/she seems totally well otherwise and doesn't have a runny nose or anything and is running around eating, playing, etc.

Should I be concerned and if so, what should I do?

 

[silkiechicken]

If it's acting otherwise healthy, don't worry. Sometimes dust or even eating too fast causes them to sneeze. They could easily get crumble or mash stuck in their throats or in their nares due to it's small size. In no time, the room they are in will be covered in a good quarter inch of chick dust. It's amazing how much dust such tiny things can create. One reason why I brood outside.

 

[lisahaschickens]

Silkiechicken, thank you for the reply!

That definitely makes me feel better. I will keep a very close eye out to see that no other symptoms develop. He was indeed doing it after excitedly eating some chickstarter with a little yogurt and he got it all over his beak... so maybe some got in his nose. Hopefully that's all it is and he isn't sick!

And yes, my babies are outside, closed in the brand new coop we built them with two brooder lamps for warmth. They seem to really love it out there - much happier than their first two weeks in a box in our guest bedroom!

 

[Wynette]

The key to avoiding respiratory illness (I'm NOT indicating that's what this is, just wanted to mention) is keeping things dry...and clean. Change shavings often, and always disinfect your waterers and feeders occasionally.

Enjoy your babes!

 

[lisahaschickens]

Thank you for the info... I'm happy to get all the advice I can!

The babies are on brand new, clean shavings and totally closed inside the coop and very dry and I scrub the waterers with hot, soapy water at least once per day.

 

[silkiechicken]

Good luck staying dry in WA! lol

Be sure to keep some ventilation going on though so that humidity doesn't start to build up too much in the coop.