Sneezing

[restinpeacenyla]

My chicks have been sneezing and shaking their heads, its kind of like a tick. I looked this up and it could be respiratory problems. However, google is renown for exaggerating things. Is this normal? Or do i need to take them to a vey?

 

[sloanbychoice]

What bedding are you using in the brooder?
Are they in your house? If so, near the kitchen?
How old are the chicks?
What are you feeding?
Are you adding anything to their water?
Do you typically spray anything in the house, like febreeze, colognes, bug spray, sun screen, etc.?

 

[restinpeacenyla]

The chicks are in the house, not near the kitchen. The bedding is hay, the chicks are 4-5 weeks old. I am feeding them chick feed and the occasional broccoli. There is nothing in their water, maybe some chick feed accidentally placed in there. Not much is sprayed, maybe some febreeze every so often?

 

[sloanbychoice]

It could be the hay. I would try pine bedding and see if that helps.
Also, when chicks are in the house, never cook using nonstick cookware. It is extremely toxic to them.

 

[restinpeacenyla]

It could be the hay. I would try pine bedding and see if that helps.
Also, when chicks are in the house, never cook using nonstick cookware. It is extremely toxic to them.

okay! thank you. what effect does the hay have on them? and why is pine better?

 

[Eggcessive]

It can be normal for chicks to sneeze occasionally and shake their heads. Dust in feed and bedding can be irritating. If the same ones are sneezing every few minutes, and you see watery eyes or eye bubbles, or nasal drainage, then you might be dealing with a respiratory disease. Hay can trap moisture and mold, causing brooder pneumonia. Pine shavings is probably a bit better to use for chick bedding.