Sneezing one month old chicks?!?

[Sutherlandfarms]

when we first got our chicks, I noticed one of the sultans began sneezing after about a week. Now several of the birds are sneezing. They are 4 weeks old. There is no nasal discharge or runny eyes. All birds are eating and drinking and moving about. They’re in a large dog cage with pine bedding. I have changed the bedding to sand and paper towel and nothing changed or improved with the bedding change. They had been getting poly vi sol in the water before and since last weekend they get nutri drench, a few drops of vet rx, and a probiotic in their water which I premix in a gallon pitcher. I don’t know what to do.

 

[Sutherlandfarms]

Also I clean the brooder every day except for a couple times when I have skipped a day. So the brooder is clean

 

[Eggcessive]

Are you seeing the same chicks sneeze every few minutes, or just on occasion? Infectious bronchitis is a common respiratory virus that can cause sneezing. It runs it’s course over about a month, and there is no treatment. It can be harder on young chickens than older ones. Did you get these from a breeder?

If you see any foamy eye or swelling around the eye, or more severe symptoms, that could be mycoplasma (MG.) That is a bacterial-like infection, and can be treated with an antibiotic, Tylan50 injectable. It should be given orally to chicks. Dosage is 1/4 ml 2-3 times daily for 3-5 days. Here is a good link to read about diseases including those two:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

 

[Sutherlandfarms]

They came from tractor supply. I didn’t know any better and got them from there. What is foamy eye?

 

[Sutherlandfarms]

And I’ll see one chick sneeze several times and then not see it again for a while

 

[Sutherlandfarms]

Or sometimes one just sneezes occasionally

 

[Eggcessive]

Foam in the eye or eye bubbles can be a symptom of mycoplasma (MG.) It sounds more like you just have some occasional sneezing possibly from the dust which is common in bedding and in the chicks’ dander, probably not a respiratory disease going on. Sick chicks usually are lethargic and not eating or drinking well. I would make sure that you have good overhead air ventilation.

 

[Eggcessive]

This pic shows a foamy eye.

 

[Sutherlandfarms]

Oh no we don’t have any foamy eyes here. They have an entire room to themselves but I may turn the ceiling fan on low just to keep the air circulating

 

[Eggcessive]

Turn it so the air is going upward, not downward.