Questioning the health of my Cornish Cross

[jeremyandem]

We have 13 2 week old Cornish cross chicks from Tractor Supply. This is our first time with chicks of any kind. I do not know what is typical behavior for these types of birds. They do make this little noise which sounds like they are sneezing which I feel like it's definitely not a good sign. I'm not sure if it is normal to be able to see them breathing either. Also they will stretch their legs out in a very odd manner. All of them are eating and drinking and moving around well. Some of them do look like they have larger round growth type areas on their bottom part. I have attached a video to show them breathing and the large growth area. I didn't get their little sneezing sound though.

 

[Themagicone]

When did you get yours??? I ordered a bunch from Hoovers (TSC supplier) few weeks ago and all of mine are doing the sneezing!

 

[jeremyandem]

I got them on March 26th and was told they were 3 days old. What about yours?

 

[Themagicone]

Mine were hatched the 24th of march. But someone said that this breed just sneezes like that unless you see gasping for air or discharge they should be fine.

 

[jeremyandem]

Sounds like they were hatched al.ost the same day.

Good to know about the sneezing possibly being common. They still sneeze but no other bad signs.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

@aart might help.

 

[nparks]

So crazy. I got some from farm and home on March 30. They were only a couple days old and they are sneezing too. I’ve had layers for years and have been doing meant birds for 2 years now and don’t recall them ever sneezing! Mine are still in a brooder but I’m afraid they might transmit a respiratory issue to my layers when we finally get them out in the yard!

 

[jeremyandem]

So crazy. I got some from farm and home on March 30. They were only a couple days old and they are sneezing too. I’ve had layers for years and have been doing meant birds for 2 years now and don’t recall them ever sneezing! Mine are still in a brooder but I’m afraid they might transmit a respiratory issue to my layers when we finally get them out in the yard!

Mine are a little older than yours. They are 3 weeks and 5 days and they are outside in the chicken tractor. They still sneeze, no more than in the beginning. Praying they don't contaminate my layers too.

 

[blackandtan]

Is it after they eat?
I often saw my cx doing that, they pack themselves with dry food and choke until they have a little drink.
The bulge at the back is their bellies. It’s a lot more noticeable because they eat so much and have less feathers than layers.
IMHO, I prefer to put them on flock raiser after the first few weeks instead of broiler mix (or whatever your feed store happens to call it). It slows their growth just a little and I’ve found that they’re healthier, they look better because their feathers can keep pace with body growth, and they act more like chickens and can actually move around, not just lie in their own poop and stuff themselves.

 

[jeremyandem]

Are they ever not eating? Lol.

Thank you for commenting. It is reassuring to hear from others. Good tip on the layer feed. Right now they are fairly active at scratching around and eating grass and such. I love to see them run and flap their wings. Makes me feel like they are real chickens not just food factories.