Sneezy chick not growing

[BroodyMama]

Hello all-

We recently adopted two Buff Orps and one Barred Rock pullet when they were about 10 days old. They're now 4 weeks. All were supposedly hatched on April 1st.

When we got them, they were all the same size. Now, the BR and one of the Buff Orps are about three times the size of the other Buff Orp. The little one has been very sneezy ever since we got her, but has no other signs of illness (other than not growing!) Her eyes aren't runny, she's not lethargic, she seems to be eating and drinking without a problem. She just sneezes and sneezes, and she's tiny.

What on earth is going on? Should I separate her? Give her vitamins? The other two aren't sneezing or showing any sign of being ill. What the-???

 

[Glenda L Heywood]

well definely put some kind of vitamins in the water then next day put
2 tbsp of apple cider vinegar in gallon of water for all of them
thiswill help them use the vitamins on the days you put the vitamins in the water

I would also doctor the sick chick
she may just have some kind of breathing problem
give her a vit E capsule 1000 mgs once a day in her beak
it can't hurt her
Also buy chewable vit C and crumble it in a tbsp of wcv water and feed her daily

she is certainly going to need extra vits and minerals
I would feed all of them
natural probiotic wet mash

9 tbsp of dry crumbles
18 tbsp of milk, fresh, sore, buttermilk
1 tbsp of yougart plain non flavored
feed this once a day and after they clean it up clean feeder and restock dry crumbles

she may out grow the niffles
you can email me PM for further help

 

[BroodyMama]

Thank you for your suggestions! I will try the wet mash and vit E in the morning, and make a trip out to our feed store to see what they recommend for vitamins in general.

One thing I forgot to note is that the wee one's breathing does seem labored. She has always breathed with her beak open.

-Sharon

 

[NotTheMomma]

There's several respiratory diseases as well as viruses that chicks can get. Some illnesses can spread rapidly to your whole flock. There could also be something in the brooder she is allergic to.

The milk with crumbles has got to be one of the best things I've read on here. It's been very hot here the past few days, and I noticed my flock wasn't eating as much. I mixed up the milk and crumbles (didbn't have any yogurt) and they all gobbled it up as fast as possible! It helped cool them down as I used cold milk and they were HOT!

Could the wee one be hot? Mine were laying on the ground with feathers ruffled and panting! Immediately they were fine after the "gruel"!!

Not sure if its ok to do or not, but as hot as its been here, I put two fans in the coop to cool things down.

They aren't on cedar shavings by chance?

Anything dusty in their environment that they aren't use to?

No moldy hay or straw?

Everything dry?