Weird puffing sound from chick! Pls help, not sure what’s happening!

[Lizzy733]

Where are these birds coming from that they're injured, sick and deformed?

If sick birds came onto your property, you're taking a risk of exposing your flock to those same diseases. Chickens are prey animals and hide sickness and injury until they can no longer do so, meaning a visibly sick bird is already likely in critical condition.

With this chick, what are the brooder conditions like? Is the substrate fine and dusty? Is it being adequately heated for its age? Chicks are loud when something's not right.

From your video, it appears to be attempting to swallow fluids and making crop adjustments as well. Are it's nares clear and dry? Is it sneezing out fluid? If so, is the fluid watery or thick?

 

[Dimondel]

Where are these birds coming from that they're injured, sick and deformed?

If sick birds came onto your property, you're taking a risk of exposing your flock to those same diseases. Chickens are prey animals and hide sickness and injury until they can no longer do so, meaning a visibly sick bird is already likely in critical condition.

With this chick, what are the brooder conditions like? Is the substrate fine and dusty? Is it being adequately heated for its age? Chicks are loud when something's not right.

From your video, it appears to be attempting to swallow fluids and making crop adjustments as well. Are it's nares clear and dry? Is it sneezing out fluid? If so, is the fluid watery or thick?

I’m getting them from a farm I frequent who seem to be having a rough season due to rain, they’re quarantined from the others. Nose looks dry and appears to not be any fluid. Sorry to trouble you, I’m just really naive and stupid and want to save everything.

 

[Eggcessive]

Is the air in the right upper chest or shoulder where the crop is? That may be normal. But sometimes when they get a bump to the body, they can get a leaking air sac under the skin. She looks to be swallowing secretions, either mucus from a respiratory issue or crop contents coming back up. It’s hard to know if it will survive. Rescuing chickens who are having problems can be pretty hard. Bringing chickens from different places is also risky because you can bring in diseases that remain in the flock for life.

 

[Dimondel]

Is the air in the right upper chest or shoulder where the crop is? That may be normal. But sometimes when they get a bump to the body, they can get a leaking air sac under the skin. She looks to be swallowing secretions, either mucus from a respiratory issue or crop contents coming back up. It’s hard to know if it will survive. Rescuing chickens who are having problems can be pretty hard. Bringing chickens from different places is also risky because you can bring in diseases that remain in the flock for life.

I understand. Air bubble kind of moves around but I believe is near the crop right now. I won’t be doing it again, I’ve gone through a lot of grief.

 

[Eggcessive]

It could be swallowing air into the crop. I haven’t dealt with that before.

 

[Lizzy733]

Bird rescue operations unfortunately do lead to a lot of death and sad stories. It's not a job for the faint of heart. You also have to be able to consider the bird's quality of life and the decision to cull should always be on the table.

I don't know the history of this farm you're getting them from, but it sounds to be bordering on animal cruelty. The living situation of their birds needs to be sorted out urgently, and if it can't, reduction to more manageable numbers is in order. It's better to give a few birds a better quality of life than have many that are suffering from cramped conditions, disease and deformities.

It may be an uncomfortable call to make, but if things are out of hand and the owner can't or won't manage their flock, then it may be time to seek outside help to ensure they receive the medical attention and care they need.

 

[Dimondel]

Unfortunately that’s not my decision to make, I have no authority over this, though I agree with you in some aspects. So, is there anything I can do to help my chicken at all?

 

[azygous]

I gave you a simple treatment to try in post #8. Didn't you see it?

 

[Dimondel]

Yes I saw it. Sorry, I wasn’t sure if the method had changed since I found the air bubble.

 

[Eggcessive]

You might also want to feel of the crop and see if any of the air comes out, but be careful. Good luck with your chick.