Head twitch and sneezing

[MapleLaurelFarms]

Oh yes, check their ears! Jump to about 20 seconds in this video and you can see how to do it. I don't have experience with ear mites, but I'm sure there's plenty of info in these forums.

 

[MapleLaurelFarms]

BTW the ear canal should be clear and clean with no debris, gunk, waxy looking stuff or anything. You might need an extra hand and a flashlight.

 

[Ncfarm828]

Oh yes, check their ears! Jump to about 20 seconds in this video and you can see how to do it. I don't have experience with ear mites, but I'm sure there's plenty of info in these forums.

Thank you! I’ll be sure to check this evening! Hopefully I can get them to keep their heads still The sneezing seemed to subside.

 

[Ncfarm828]

Thank you! I’ll be sure to check this evening! Hopefully I can get them to keep their heads still The sneezing seemed to subside.

Update: I went ahead and used a safety, baby cotton swab to clean the outside of the chicks ears and she liked when I did it but nothing came off of her ear but I did it gently so …

Well I checked two of their ears and I didn’t see anything but possibly a few specks of dirt in the one that twitches its head the most. So far still twitching, no other issues. I wonder if they’re just sensitive to sound. When I whisper, they seem to do it less.

 

[MapleLaurelFarms]

Well I checked two of their ears and I didn’t see anything but possibly a few specks of dirt in the one that twitches its head the most.

Are you sure this isn't mites? Mites and feces can look like little bitty coffee grounds or flecks of dirt. If it is truly dirt, they might be just shaking their heads for fun and will grow out of it. Sometimes chickens do odd things that make no sense, just like humans.

 

[MapleLaurelFarms]

Found this and it might be helpful, or not.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/why-is-my-hen-shaking-her-head.991813/post-15425016

I doubt they're sensitive to noise. They're probably being still because whispering is different and exciting to them so they're paying attention lol. Honestly, if these were my chicks and head shaking is the only "symptom" you can ever discover, it's likely absolutely nothing so you can relax. Enjoy them! They don't stay this young and goofy for long.