Unwell Chicks? Please Help.

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Lyndz09

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Unwell Chicks? Please Help.
« on: August 15, 2009, 17:29 »
We recently got 6 baby chickens, their mother was killed, so we have been keeping in the right conditions, feeding them the correct things and they have plenty of water, sadly 3 have died already, they are still very young. One of the remaining three is acting the same way the others did, its almost like is trying to cheap but all it does is open and close its beak constantly, so far its still drinking and nibbling away on food. Please help?    :(

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chickenlady

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Re: Unwell Chicks? Please Help.
« Reply #1 on: August 15, 2009, 17:38 »
Could be aspergillosis! (sp) that has silent gasping as a symptom, it is caused my fungal/mould spores. doesnt say about treatment but have a read of this:
Aspergillosis (Brooder Pneumonia) Causative Agent: Aspergillus spp. (usually A. Fumigatus)

Method of Spread

Aspergilli are common fungal organisms that grow readily in many types of organic material. Although widespread, they can pose a threat to birds if present in large numbers in the poultry house.

Birds are uniquely susceptible to aspergillosis because of the unique features of the respiratory tract. Birds have a complex system of air sacs that aid air movement through the lungs and help birds achieve light weight necessary for flight.

If large numbers of these fungi or their spores are inhaled, they may begin to multiply in the bird's air sacs and spread to other areas of the respiratory tract.

Signs

Affected birds usually do not cough, but exhibit a characteristic silent gasp. If stressed, their skin can become quite blue because of lack of oxygen. Severe weight loss is often seen.

Treatment and Prevention

Aspergillosis can be prevented by carefully managing the bird's environment.

Manure should not be allowed to accumulate, but should be regularly removed. Moldy bedding or feed must not be used for birds. Coarse bedding is preferable to fine as it produces less dust. Most importantly, feed or bedding that becomes wet should be removed immediately.

Good ventilation, cleanliness, and stress prevention are helpful to prevent this and many other bird diseases. Antifungal drugs are occasionally used on very valuable animals. These medications must be given individually, and treatment is often prolonged and expensive.

this was taken from this web site!
http://www.barnyardhealth.com/resinindompo.html

Debbie
thinks her guardian angel`s gone on strike !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Lyndz09

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Re: Unwell Chicks? Please Help.
« Reply #2 on: August 15, 2009, 17:47 »
Thanks, its definatly doing that silent gasping right enough.  :(

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chickenlady

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Re: Unwell Chicks? Please Help.
« Reply #3 on: August 15, 2009, 18:14 »
What is their bedding! and how old? are they still on heat?

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chickenlady

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Re: Unwell Chicks? Please Help.
« Reply #4 on: August 15, 2009, 18:21 »
If they are on shavings or straw etc I would bring them in and place in a brooder with just kitchen towel in the bottom! take away any source of spores etc! and dose them up with some poultry spice in their food and put some apple cider vinegar in their water! dont know what else to suggest, hope someone else comes along soon!  ???
web site only says how to prevent! maybe a google search may shed some light!?

Debbie

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Lyndz09

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Re: Unwell Chicks? Please Help.
« Reply #5 on: August 15, 2009, 19:11 »
Their bedding is straw and paper shavings and they are nearly two weeks old?!?! Thanks for the advice guys, keep it coming :)

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woodside farm

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Re: Unwell Chicks? Please Help.
« Reply #6 on: August 15, 2009, 20:44 »
It could be the straw that is your problem, I keep all my new chicks on newspaper and sandpaper for the first 3 days and then on woodshavings until they are ready to go outside.

Michelle xx
http://www.woodside-farm-chickens.webs.com/
*-:¦:-•*quis goes inter*•-:¦:-•:* adveho inter*•-:¦:-*

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chickenlady

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Re: Unwell Chicks? Please Help.
« Reply #7 on: August 15, 2009, 21:25 »
another possibilty could be gapeworm! but they seem a bit young for that!? unless they have been with older birds or outside? when they gasp do they stretch their necks out?

Debbie

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Foxy

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Re: Unwell Chicks? Please Help.
« Reply #8 on: August 15, 2009, 21:50 »
OK how old are they? you say they are very young, how feathered are they? Are you keeping them inside? Any contact with older chooks or outside at all? Are they now on heat? What are their poops like? Sorry for all the questions it does help when trying to figure out what the problem may be. :)

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Lyndz09

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Re: Unwell Chicks? Please Help.
« Reply #9 on: August 16, 2009, 17:46 »
Their 2 weeks old, their feathers are yellow/ brwonish colour, seem all intact and healthy looking. One has a yellow beak and had blood in and around its mouth, which it didnt have yesterday!? They havent been with any other animals other than the original 6 chicks.  :(

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Foxy

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Re: Unwell Chicks? Please Help.
« Reply #10 on: August 16, 2009, 20:33 »
Do you have them under a heat lamp?

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Lyndz09

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Re: Unwell Chicks? Please Help.
« Reply #11 on: August 17, 2009, 16:04 »
No their not under a heat lamp, we got told that as long as we kept them nice and warm we wouldnt need one. Theres only 2 of them now :(

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chickenlady

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Re: Unwell Chicks? Please Help.
« Reply #12 on: August 17, 2009, 16:46 »
Sorry to hear you are down to just 2 now!   :( at 2 wks old they should still have heat even a desk lamp with a 40-60 watt light bulb suspended over the top will do! they need this additional heat for 4 - 5 wks! and only then if they are well feathered and the weather is mild! take them off heat altogether! fingers crossed for the other 2
Debbie


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