Chick shaking head and sometimes gaping

[serenden]

Hi all, I have four 2-3 week old chicks, and two of them get into these head shaking episodes that bothers me! Then today I noticed one of them opening it's beak while resting and shaking it's head.

I've read through the forums here but I'd really like to know if this might be just a natural behavior in their development, or cause for more concern. I have two yellow chicks and two black, I'm unsure of the breeds (got them from Tractor Supply). The two yellow ones shake their heads a lot, and the black ones just sometimes but hardly at all. I noticed one of them do it yesterday but just a few times.

The two that are shaking heads do it almost constantly sometimes, but otherwise are eating, drinking and are active. I notice when they're out to play with us they don't do it as much. They are well ventilated, have chick starter (medicated), and until yesterday I was providing water with electrolytes and probiotics along with plain water. I gave them some chick grit 2-3 days ago and yesterday introduced some pulled up grass with soil on it. But the head shaking was happening before the grit and soil/grass, albeit to a lesser degree.

Any thoughts? I don't see mites. They are otherwise active. Thank you so much, this place is incredibly helpful I'm learning a lot!

Here is a link to a video of the gaping (sound is just background noise) :

 

[Ryguy3684]

I always seem to have one head shaker with every hatch. I would keep a close watch on it to make sure there are no other issues. I've searched, in vein, to find out why some chicks do this, but have never seen a good reason. The "gaping" looks like it's adjusting it's crop. They'll do this occasionally if they eat a lot. I wouldn't be too worried unless other symptoms appear. I'd like to know if anybody can answer why this happens. Good kuck.

 

[Texasclucker]

with head-shaking I've always thought it might be something wrong with their ears I had a silkie that would just spazz completely out like to the point you felt bad for her

 

[junior67]

mine are only a few days old and one of them was doing this today. I searched and searched (and asked here) and couldn't find much on it. But did find that it could be adjusting their crop. Mine was doing it quite a bit then I checked after it napped and it wasn't and the crop was smaller so thinking maybe that was it. Saw that the heat could be too hot for them too or not drinking enough. But I know mine are always at the waterer drinking so didn't think it was that and they aren't at the edges of the MHP and not wanting to go in so didn't think they were too hot....... Mine is also one of my crazy ones and runs around , jumps on the MHP and off, barges through everyone. Was eating and drinking fine etc.

Good luck and try to check in the morning or after a nap before they start eating again and see if they are doing it. thinking maybe just adjusting the crop???

 

[serenden]

I always seem to have one head shaker with every hatch. I would keep a close watch on it to make sure there are no other issues. I've searched, in vein, to find out why some chicks do this, but have never seen a good reason. The "gaping" looks like it's adjusting it's crop. They'll do this occasionally if they eat a lot. I wouldn't be too worried unless other symptoms appear. I'd like to know if anybody can answer why this happens. Good kuck.

It's helpful to hear that at least it's something that's relatively common. I'll keep a close watch. This morning they are their usual active, chirping selves. The yellow ones are a little bigger than the black ones, either due to age or breed, but I wonder if it's a developmental behavior at a certain age.

Did the ones you have eventually grow out of it, or continue to always do it?

 

[snood dude]

Looks like its normal but possibly gapeworm.

 

[serenden]

mine are only a few days old and one of them was doing this today. I searched and searched (and asked here) and couldn't find much on it. But did find that it could be adjusting their crop. Mine was doing it quite a bit then I checked after it napped and it wasn't and the crop was smaller so thinking maybe that was it. Saw that the heat could be too hot for them too or not drinking enough. But I know mine are always at the waterer drinking so didn't think it was that and they aren't at the edges of the MHP and not wanting to go in so didn't think they were too hot....... Mine is also one of my crazy ones and runs around , jumps on the MHP and off, barges through everyone. Was eating and drinking fine etc.

Good luck and try to check in the morning or after a nap before they start eating again and see if they are doing it. thinking maybe just adjusting the crop???

I'll check their crops... I'm still learning chicken anatomy..! They are always at the feeder, but this morning I'm not seeing as much head shaking... maybe towards the end of the day when their crops are fuller? Thank you for your reply.

 

[junior67]

I'll check their crops... I'm still learning chicken anatomy..! They are always at the feeder, but this morning I'm not seeing as much head shaking... maybe towards the end of the day when their crops are fuller? Thank you for your reply.

ya the one that was doing it was after it had been up for a while eating, drinking, running etc. after a nap it seemed to stop so guessing it digested some from the crop and that is why? Honestly not sure if this is it but where you are saying this morning they aren't going it much I am thinking maybe that is the case?

 

[Ryguy3684]

It's helpful to hear that at least it's something that's relatively common. I'll keep a close watch. This morning they are their usual active, chirping selves. The yellow ones are a little bigger than the black ones, either due to age or breed, but I wonder if it's a developmental behavior at a certain age.

Did the ones you have eventually grow out of it, or continue to always do it?

Mine always grow out of it. I was nervous when I first had chicks, and thought it was gapeworm every time they yawned. . It's worth watching for, but from what I've read, it is not very common in the U.S.

 

[serenden]

Mine always grow out of it. I was nervous when I first had chicks, and thought it was gapeworm everything they yawned. . It's worth watching for, but from everything I've read, it is not very common in the U.S.

Good to know, thanks!