[JaK]

Today quite a few of my chicks (7 weeks old) seem to be sneezing and have a watery discharge fromthe nostrils. They are living outside and are now on medicated growers feed. Should I be worried? what should I do?


I wonder if any forum memberes remember that when I got my broody hen she was like this for a few days too, She died 3 weeks later (after the chicks hatched), I do not know if her death was linked to the sneezing though.

Plaese advise me as I am worries my broody may have passed somthing on and do not want to lose my babies too.

[joyfull]

take one to the vets and get it checked over. If the vet prescribes antibiotics get enough to treat all of your birds 

[JaK]

OK, will ring round the vets in the morning for an appointment. Fingers crossed it will all be fine. 

[bantam novice]

Good luck Jak and keep us posted.

[JaK]

Well they are still sneezing this morning but seem active as normal (eating and drinking too).
I have put some poultry tonic in their water. I have spoken to the vet who has advised me that it could be due to stress i.e moving outside full time, changing feed to grower (although this was gradual).....
The vet said to take one along for a check over on monday if they don't improve and she will prescribe an antibiotic if needed.
Given that they are now poorly I think I may need to cull my unwanted boys now, any advise on how to do this properly welcome as I only have books to go on. Will look on youtube too (learn't how to deal with rabbits this way).

[JaK]

I've done it now. 

[joyfull]

horrible thing to do but sometimes necessary  . Nobody like doing it but boys are so difficult to rehome.

[bantam novice]

It feels horrible but you did the right thing.

[JaK]

Still feel bad. Only did the two Jubilee orps that were causing all the troouble (fighting) and did try to rehome them first. I have homes for two of the other boys, they move in September IF they are only stressed and nothing worse. I have to admit that there does seem to be more harmony in the coop now, perhaps it was the right time.