Sneezing chicks

[Chick_Lit123]

I have six 10-week old chicks and still have the heat lamp on in their coop. The place is draft-free with lots of bedding. But a few are sneezing occasionally. Should I introduce vitamins in the water? And how long should I keep the infrared light on in the coop? Other than the odd sneeze or two, they are flourishing...BTW: I live in MASS, very cold climate.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Quote:
At 10 weeks old they should be feathered out enough to not need a heat lamp even in MA as long as they are draft free. I'd phase out the heat lamp by lowering it a little each night and cutting it off during the day so their bodies can adjust. And your chicks are too young to need any supplemental daylight right now.

I would also post this question in the emergency forum so someone more knowledgeable could help you as chicks sneezing isn't a normal thing. Putting vitamins in their water is a good thing, just follow the proper dosing on the package label. But definitely ask about the sneezing - it could be dust in your coop making them sneeze, but I would want to rule out health issues first.

 

[Chick_Lit123]

Thanks for the answer. the shavings i got are particularly dusty--not the usual fluffy stuff i typically get. So could it just be sawdust making them sneeze? And, i think it's only one of the chicks and she sneezes only occasionally.

 

[bobbieschicks]

No sneezing isn't normal behavior. Dusty coop is normal. I don't have access to my computer right now but you should do a search of sneezing in the emergency forum and see what the answers are. I hope I'm wrong and sneezing is okay. Occasional may be fine. But investigate to be sure.