bubble/air sacs in chicks

Sort by date Sort by reaction score
1hippiechick

1hippiechick

In the Brooder
5 Years
Oct 22, 2014
15
0
22
Texas
It seems my one week old chick has some sort of air bubble. I was given instructions on how to care for it I think I have caught it early enough and it was small too. She seems to be doing OK occasionally I have to squeeze more air out but I was told it will either go away or come back. Is this a disease and even though she isn't around my other birds can they get it I really don't know what to do! Most people I know haven't heard of it ....Subcutaneous emphysema?? Anyone else ever have this problem maybe I need a vet?
 
Eggcessive

Eggcessive

Addict
Premium Feather Member
11 Years
Apr 3, 2011
65,559
60,112
1,392
southern Ohio
Where is the air bubble? Just make sure it's not the crop located in the chick's upper right chest. A leaking air sac can cause an area of air to collect under the skin, and it is called wind puff or subcutaneous emphysema. The air sacs are located all over the body, and can be injured easily. If the air sac leak is small, and the chick is not in distress, I would rather do nothing. If it is large, getting bigger, or the chick is in distress, then I would take a 22 gauge needle and puncture the skin, then squeeze out as much air as possible, and hold your finger over the puncture site for several minutes. Then I would apply Neosporin to it (just a tiny dot.) Be careful not to puncture the crop where the food is stored.
http://ijasvm.com/ijasvmadmin/upload/IJASVM_5113cbc51d31b.pdf
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/171121/deflating-subcutaneous-emphysema
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/6/diseases-of-poultry/223/subcutaneous-emphysema
 
Eggcessive

Eggcessive

Addict
Premium Feather Member
11 Years
Apr 3, 2011
65,559
60,112
1,392
southern Ohio
Here is some anatomy (the chick's crop may be higher:)

Chicken-anatomy.gif
ill_bird_airsacs2.gif
 
Last edited:
Eggcessive

Eggcessive

Addict
Premium Feather Member
11 Years
Apr 3, 2011
65,559
60,112
1,392
southern Ohio
Can you locate the crop in front right side of neck? Sometimes in baby chicks, the crops can be closer to a shoulder. I recently had to deflate a very large air sac on the whole right side in a 2 week old (I used a 22 gauge needle, since that was all I had.) The chick became very weak just after I did it, but after lying there for a bit, he perked back up, and did well. This leaking air sacs can reappear, so it can take more than one attempt. I prefer to not do any punctures if I can get away with it.
 
1hippiechick

1hippiechick

In the Brooder
5 Years
Oct 22, 2014
15
0
22
Texas
You can hear it deflate and it will fill back up I won't poke her again I've been trying to get it to come out the same hole but I think she's getting another one on the other side I really don't want to prick her again.
 
Liz Birdlover

Liz Birdlover

Free Ranging
Jan 6, 2018
2,279
8,433
606
Delaware, USA
One of my chicks has one. I recall this with my Homing Pigeons & using a needle hole to gently deflate, it is just under skin. It does fill up again & I've deflated by just sticking the same hole as it's usually just a tiny scab. It usually heals well & most times doesn't happen again, but if so, just have to repeat the process. I used to have a great source to call on the phone, but Dr. Pigeon passed away, God bless him. He told me to make a bit of a larger opening if it keeps happening so air can escape on it's own, & I only had to do that 1x but she healed well.
 

Similar threads

S
Possible ruptured air sac?
Replies
3
Views
190
casportpony
casportpony
O
Ruptured air sac in chick with sour crop
Replies
4
Views
549
Opiumbrella
O
VirulentVulpine
[Pics] Swollen Air Sac / Crop (Possibly subcutaneous emphysema?)
Replies
2
Views
707
Scarlet628
S
DutchEggs
Injured chick, large fluid sac near crop
Replies
3
Views
503
Eggcessive
Eggcessive
H
Hen with clogged air sac
Replies
5
Views
236
Aunt Angus
Aunt Angus

New posts New threads Active threads

Top Bottom