Respiratory Illness in Chicks: How to Recognize, Prevent, and Treat Common Chick Respiratory Infections

Hearing sneezes or wheezing sounds from your brooder is every chicken keeper’s concern. Respiratory illness in chicks can spread quickly and lead to severe health issues or death. But it is often easy to prevent through brooder management. 

In this guide, we’ll help you understand the causes of respiratory illness in chicks, how to identify different chick respiratory infections, and the best ways to prevent and treat them.

Key Takeaways

• Respiratory illness in chicks is most often caused by brooder conditions such as poor ventilation, damp conditions or ammonia build up. 
• Other causes include fungi and infectious bacteria or viruses.
• Common symptoms include sneezing, coughing, bubbly eyes, nasal discharge, open-mouth breathing, sleepiness and facial swelling.
• Prevention of chick respiratory infections involves proper brooder hygiene, clean bedding, good ventilation, and stress reduction.
• Treatment depends on the cause — antibiotics for bacterial respiratory infections in chicks, supportive care for viral or fungal problems, and isolation of sick birds.

Causes of Respiratory Illness in Chicks

Respiratory illness in chicks is typically triggered by one or more of the following environmental factors:

• Poor ventilation — Dust and stale air irritate the respiratory tract, making it easier for respiratory infections to develop. Poor ventilation also contributes to ammonia build up and mould growth, both of which can cause respiratory illness.
• Cold conditions — Chilling weakens the immune system and allows bacteria and mould to thrive. Chicks that become chilled, for example if the heat source malfunctions, often develop pneumonia as a result.
• Ammonia build up — Dirty bedding releases harmful ammonia fumes that damage delicate lung tissue and can lead to secondary respiratory infections in chicks.
• Dampness – Damp bedding can cause chilling and contributes to ammonia build up. It is also the perfect environment for disease-causing bacteria and fungi (mould) to multiply.
• Stress — Overcrowding, rough handling, shipping stress, or sudden temperature drops make chicks more vulnerable to disease. 

Although triggered by environmental factors, the respiratory illness itself will be caused by either fungi/mould, bacteria, a virus or parasites. The common types of respiratory illnesses in chicks are outlined below. 

Symptoms of Chick Respiratory Infections and How to Identify Them

If you suspect respiratory illness in your chicks, watch for these symptoms and signs to help narrow down the cause:

1. Infectious Bronchitis (IB)

   Symptoms: Sneezing, watery eyes, nasal discharge, gasping or coughing, poor appetite and stunted growth.

   Telltale signs: In chicks, sneezing and nasal discharge are the most obvious signs of this viral respiratory disease. Sneezing may be particularly pronounced at night.

2. Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (Chronic Respiratory Disease)

   Symptoms: Coughing, nasal discharge, open-mouth breathing, bubbly or foamy eyes, and sinus swelling. This disease is more common in winter. 

   Telltale signs: The presence of bubbles in the eyes is a classic sign of Mycoplasma.

3. Aspergillosis

   Also called Brooder Pneumonia, this is actually an infection caused by mould spores from the Aspergillosis fungi, which grows in damp bedding.

   Symptoms: Gasping, open-mouth breathing, weakness, drowsiness, loss of appetite and head shaking

   Telltale signs: Caused by mould in bedding or feed. Chicks with aspergillosis show no nasal discharge or coughing, just heavy breathing and rapid deterioration.

4. Infectious Coryza

   Symptoms: Foul-smelling nasal discharge, swelling of the face and wattles, congestion, and wet, gurgling breathing sounds. 

   Telltale signs: Bad-smelling discharge and significant facial swelling are key indicators of infectious coryza, a fast-spreading respiratory disease in chickens and chicks.

5. Pneumonia

   Unlike Brooder Pneumonia, which is caused by a fungus (see Aspergillosis), pneumonia can be caused by chilling or aspirating water or feed. It is initially lung irritation, but often results in a secondary respiratory infection.

   Symptoms: Gasping, shivering, cold body temperature, lethargy, and difficulty breathing.

   Telltale signs: Often caused by accidental aspiration of water or feed, or sudden chilling. This type of respiratory distress in chicks appears suddenly and requires immediate warmth and care.

6. Gapeworm

   This parasite is most often contracted from insects, soil or other chickens. So while it is more common in chicks, it is unlikely to be an issue while chicks are still in the brooder.

   Symptoms: Gasping for air with the neck outstretched.

   Telltale signs: The outstretched neck of a gapeworm infection is quite distinctive. There are no other respiratory symptoms.

Prevention of Respiratory Illness in Chicks

Because most respiratory problems are triggered by environmental conditions, prevention is the best way to protect your chicks:

• Clean, dust-free bedding — Use fresh, mould-free bedding and avoid dusty materials. Clean the brooder frequently. Young chicks do best on mesh shelf liner. Once they can recognise food, a dust-extracted wood shaving, hemp bedding or shredded cardboard is best. 
• Proper ventilation — Good airflow reduces dust and ammonia build up, and prevents damp. However, chicks can easily become chilled so it is very important to avoid draughts. 
• Correct brooder temperatures — Start at 35°C and reduce by 2.5°C weekly. Avoid sudden temperature changes.
• A dry brooder – Keep the brooder clean and ensure water sources are drip-free. Avoid dishes that chicks can step in or spill. Chicks can use a Drinking Cup Waterer from day one and this will help prevent damp in the brooder.
• Clean feed and water — Fresh, mould-free feed and clean waterers reduce the risk of fungal and bacterial infections.
• Good biosecurity — Unless the chicks are being raised by a mother hen, avoid contact between new chicks and your existing flock to prevent the spread of disease. This includes washing your hands and disinfecting any equipment that could have been in contact with other birds. Also disinfect brooders between batches of chicks.
• Minimal stress — Avoid overcrowding and rough handling. Sudden changes, such as a different feed, new location or temperature change can also cause stress. 

Treatment of Respiratory Illness in Chicks

When respiratory infections appear, quick action and good nursing can save your chicks:

• Isolate sick chicks immediately — This prevents the spread of disease.
• Keep warm — A stressed or chilled chick’s immune system will struggle to fight infections. 
• Provide supportive care — Add vitamins and electrolytes to drinking water to help boost immunity.
• Improve air quality — Increase ventilation for both the sick chick(s) and in the brooder. Check for mould and remove any damp or dirty bedding. 
• Relieve symptoms — VetRx can relieve respiratory symptoms, while saline eye drops can clear discharge and bubbles from eyes. Ensure that chicks are upright to relieve pressure on the lungs - propping chicks that are droopy in little doughnuts made from face washers or hand towels can help.

Specific treatment, depending on the cause of the respiratory symptoms, is also required:

1. Infectious Bronchitis (IB)

   Vaccination can prevent infection with IB, but there is no treatment once chicks are infected except good nursing in a warm environment. Antibiotics can be used to help prevent secondary infections; consult your vet.

2. Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (CRD - Chronic Respiratory Disease)

   Unfortunately, once a chicken has CRD, it will have the disease for life. Although symptoms are often mild in adult birds, to the point that chicken keepers often don’t know that their flock is infected, it does cause respiratory issues for life. There is no treatment for the disease, but good nursing and antibiotics can help birds to recover; consult your vet. 

3. Aspergillosis (Brooder Pneumonia)

   Brooder pneumonia is caused by mould spores and doesn’t spread between birds, so the most important thing is creating a mould-free environment. Brooders should be cleaned thoroughly and a fungicide used on any mould spots. Also check the room where the brooder is kept for mould and rot.

   As with other diseases, good nursing is the only treatment available for this disease. 

4. Infectious Coryza

   Consult your vet for a diagnosis and antibiotic prescription; in the meantime, provide good nursing care.

5. Pneumonia

   Ensuring chicks are warm is the first step. Antibiotics can also be useful to prevent secondary infections; consult your vet.

6. Gapeworm

   Chicken dewormers will treat gapeworm. However, not all dewormers are suitable for young chicks. Read the directions of your worming product carefully and consult your vet if unsure.

Conclusion

Respiratory illness in chicks can be serious, but knowing how to recognize symptoms early and take immediate action gives your chicks the best chance of recovery. By maintaining a clean, dry, well-ventilated brooder and watching for signs of respiratory distress, you can prevent many common chick respiratory infections. Healthy chicks today lead to a thriving flock tomorrow.

 Rachael at Dine-A-Chook Australia