Why are my 2-week-old chicks sneezing but have no other symptoms?

Hello. Chickens can get upper respiratory infections. Like us, most of these are viruses, so no great treatments. There is no reason to start any antibiotics. Make sure your hens are as stress free as possible, has access to plenty of fresh water, good feed, special treats & if you need to isolate some, do so. If you plan on adding anymore birds, make sure they have been vaccinated for Marek's. This will only add a few dollars to the cost of each chick. Thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

It's possible. Dust, dander, loose substrate at the bottom of the cage, respiratory issues, etc can all cause sneezing. If the sneezes and any discharge are clear, making sure the room Rimmie is kept in is clean and dust-free and closing any open windows may help. If you notice any discolored discharge, or she has other symptoms of illness such as not wanting to eat or drink, listless behavior, trouble breathing, etc, then this could indicate something more serious such as a respiratory infection which should be treated by a vet.

An occasional sneeze with no discharge or other symptoms (lethargy, loose droppings, difficulty breathing, etc) is no cause for concern. Monitor for any progression or additional symptoms and see a veterinarian if necessary.

Based on the condition of the environment that you are describing and the sneezing and nasal discharge your bird is having, I would be concerned about an upper respiratory tract infection. Your bird will likely need antibiotics and possibly a nebulizer to help open up his airways. I hope this helps. Best of luck with your new bird. Thanks for sing Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

An occasional itch and sneeze is not very concerning. Sometimes, they will have a long-term sinus infection after recovering from a respiratory disease. These infections are very difficult to diagnose and treat. At this time, it doesn't seem like he is having bad enough signs to warrant an investigation or treatment into this problem. If you are not noticing any nose discharge, and Jade is otherwise acting normal, then I think it's fine to not bring her into the vet right now. Although, it would be best to have a general exam done by an avian veterinarian at some point. Make sure that there is not something like perfumes/other scents, smoke, or excessive dust in the environment. Even the slightest amount of these aerosols can irritate their respiratory tract. I hope that helps.

Hi and thank you for this question, Please watch Emilio for a day or two more. If sneezing continues he might have an upper respiratory infection. Otherwise, if he behaves normally and stops sneezing then there is no need to do anything.

This sign could be compatible with an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or eventually to a chronic rhinitis (inflammatory, allergic, infective). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.