Whats wrong with him?

[Bayou Lena]

They've all been fine and healthy until tonight this one has been panting and really agitated. The others are sleep. He's drinking and had been eating.

 

[Amiga]

What is the temperature in the brooder?

Do they have a way to wash their heads?

Sometimes things get stuck in their nares and they are mouth-breathing. It needs to be washed out - they can do this themselves, but they need a head washer. Clogged nares can lead to sinus infections.

 

[Bayou Lena]

I did switch to pine pellets tonight,, maybe something is stuck?

 

[Bayou Lena]

Temp is 73, hasn't moved away from the light.

 

[Bayou Lena]

They have two water sources, he's the only one doing it.

 

[Amiga]

I might cover the pine pellets with an old towel. He could have something stuck in there. Can you get him into a warm tub? How old are they? You don't want the water too hot or too cold. If they are a week or two old, I think 85˚F water for five minutes or so should work.

 

[Amiga]

Can you see through his nares?

 

[Bayou Lena]

7 weeks old. I just put him in a luke warm bath. They all seemed to be sneezing a but when I got home tonight. He's back in the brooder and acting normal. My adults have lived thru -40 temps, why are babies so hard? Lol

 

[Amiga]

Just thinking . . . general recommendation for temperature is 90˚F first week, dropping five degrees a week till the brooder is the same as the rest of their world.

So, 90 minus (7 times 5) is 90 minus 35 is 55. I think. Yes, that's the arithmetic. So the brooder temperature can be around 55. They may be a bit too warm. Or he may be. I have some runners who have different temperature tolerances. And the buffs definitely like it cooler than the runners.

And I know they are supposed to know enough to move away from the light when they are too warm, and don't tell him I said this, but some of them don't seem to read the books and do the right thing. Mine never ever have huddled together for warmth. Ever. Even though they were cold and shivering. Just don't do it.

(I need to turn in - please let us know how it's going . . . . )

 

[Bayou Lena]

They're all in an enclosed porch, so that temp is not accurate for them, sorry. Maybe he just wouldn't move away from the heat source. They're all having audible breathing tho.