Broiler chicks sneezing and shivering

[The_Chicken_Tender]

I have five broiler chicks and they are eleven days old. I have been raising them in a 10x10 pen outside, with a heat lamp in one corner. Before I used it for the chicks, it just sat there open so my other chickens have gone in and out as they please. The reason I mention this is to say that the area the chicks are living, and have been living since day one, is nowhere near sterile. Also, these birds are for a show.

Two days ago, I noticed that out of the blue, all the chicks have begun sneezing constantly - and I do mean constantly. Additionally, they seem to shiver or tremble occasionally, one much more than the others (I know because I marked them with food coloring). She'll lift up her wings and they will shiver and then go back to normal. It has been very warm out, so I can't imagine that she's cold. Other than these symptoms, nothing else seems to be wrong - they have been very active and have been eating and drinking normally. I did go outside not too long ago and they were all sleeping, but I'm assuming they are simply napping since they are chicks.

This morning I put apple cider vinegar in one of their waterers (they have a few, so I may have to take some out to ensure they get an adequate amount of acv) because I have read that it may possibly help certain respiratory illnesses. Other than that, I don't know what to do. Their symptoms have neither improved nor gotten worse over the past few days, but I am curious and concerned about what could cause this. If anyone has any ideas, it would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[HollowOfWisps]

The lifting the wings and “shivering” is not shivering it’s them adjusting themselves. As for the sneezing. What bedding are you using? How is the ventilation in that pen? Is it dusty in there? Any discharge from their nose?

 

[The_Chicken_Tender]

The lifting the wings and “shivering” is not shivering it’s them adjusting themselves. As for the sneezing. What bedding are you using? How is the ventilation in that pen? Is it dusty in there? Any discharge from their nose?

I figured it wasn't "shivering" in the sense of trying to warm up, but the frequency that one of the chicks does it seems a little unusual.

I put down straw the day I got them and haven't changed it yet (they are small and the enclosure is very big). I also left some dirt exposed for them to scratch around in, but it is not very dusty. Two of the sides are completely open so there is plenty of circulation.

I haven't seen any discharge, but when I sit close to them I can feel a small spray occasionally when they sneeze.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I figured it wasn't "shivering" in the sense of trying to warm up, but the frequency that one of the chicks does it seems a little unusual.

I put down straw the day I got them and haven't changed it yet (they are small and the enclosure is very big). I also left some dirt exposed for them to scratch around in, but it is not very dusty. Two of the sides are completely open so there is plenty of circulation.

I haven't seen any discharge, but when I sit close to them I can feel a small spray occasionally when they sneeze.

It’s most likely the straw. Straw molds very easily especially if it gets wet from a bumped waterer, the moisture from poop or it’s humid at all there. It can also cause respiratory issues if it even has just a little mold.

 

[The_Chicken_Tender]

It’s most likely the straw. Straw molds very easily especially if it gets wet from a bumped waterer, the moisture from poop or it’s humid at all there. It can also cause respiratory issues if it even has just a little mold.

I've never had an issue with straw before, even with chicks. It has also been so hot that I can't imagine it has a chance to stay wet for long, and the enclosure has two sides completely open. I'll definitely examine the straw more closely and change it out tomorrow though, just to be safe. Thanks for the input!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you get a video of the shivering action and overall behavior?

What's their poop like? Photos?

 

[The_Chicken_Tender]

Can you get a video of the shivering action and overall behavior?

What's their poop like? Photos?

I'll try to get some tomorrow. Their poop has been slightly watery for a while, long before the sneezing started, but I attributed that to the heat and them drinking a lot.

 

[The_Chicken_Tender]

Can you get a video of the shivering action and overall behavior?

What's their poop like? Photos?

Here is a video with the shivering. I don't know if I captured the sneezing, but all it looks like is a little shake of the head. I also noticed two red looking poops, which I included a photo of as well.

(I hope this is the right way to include a video, I've never done it before)

 

[Wyorp Rock]

It's intestinal shedding in the poop, but if you are noticing quite a bit, it may be a good idea to treat them all with Corid.

Liquid Corid dose is 2tsp or Powdered Corid Dose is 1 1/2tsp per gallon of water given for 5-7 days as the only source of drinking water.
Do not add any extra vitamins/electrolytes that contain B1(Thiamine) to food or water during the course of treatment.

Take the time to make sure no one's butt is pasting over.

The little shake, I don't think is a shiver, it's just more of a wing movement. Have you seen them dust bath at all? I know broilers may not dust bath as much, but they still should if they have access to dirt.

You mention it's been hot, how hot?

 

[The_Chicken_Tender]

It's intestinal shedding in the poop, but if you are noticing quite a bit, it may be a good idea to treat them all with Corid.

Liquid Corid dose is 2tsp or Powdered Corid Dose is 1 1/2tsp per gallon of water given for 5-7 days as the only source of drinking water.
Do not add any extra vitamins/electrolytes that contain B1(Thiamine) to food or water during the course of treatment.

Take the time to make sure no one's butt is pasting over.

The little shake, I don't think is a shiver, it's just more of a wing movement. Have you seen them dust bath at all? I know broilers may not dust bath as much, but they still should if they have access to dirt.

You mention it's been hot, how hot?

I don't think it's coccidiosis because they've been on medicated feed (I know it doesn't protect 100%) and they don't seem sick in that way, but I'll keep an eye on it.

Today I loosened up some dirt in their pen and all five of them went to town with the dustbathing, but afterwards they all seemed to be trembling even more. At this point, I am more concerned about the sneezing - broilers have different mannerisms than layers and its probably not worth worrying about.

We had a heat wave for a few days in the high 80s, but its cooled down quite a bit and their behavior hasn't changed.

After doing some more research, I am worried it's something like chronic respiratory disease. One of my layers sneezes sometimes and has bubbly foam in her eyes, and I'm wondering if it got spread to the chicks.