Yawning chick?

zaapoole

In the Brooder
May 30, 2016
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My chicks are nearly five weeks. Suddenly today one of them started doing this weird thing when they open their beak really wide and stretch their neck out. It kind of looks like they are trying to crow but without sound. Is this becuase she/he is tired? She/he kept doing it about five times and then stopped and then started again.They went outside for a long time today and when I put them back inside in their brooder/house they all started cleaning themselves and that was when this one started doing the weird thing. Is this normal? Are they I'll? Please help these are my first chicks and the adult chickens that I have now have never done that! (Well I've never seen them do that)
I don't know if you can include videos so I just used photos instead.

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Thank you everyone I think I have a lot to learn about chicks
 
When a chick does that, it is trying to adjust an uncomfortable crop. Usually, this is just a passing thing. But if the chick continues over an extended period, say, an hour or more, you can help it by gently, very gently, massaging the crop in a circular and downward motion for about half a minute.

If this doesn't relieve the chick's discomfort, and if the chick becomes lethargic and quits eating, the crop may be impacted and a bit of coconut or olive oil will help soften the mass, along with a little more massaging.
 
How did it continue? Did it have food stuck?
My first thought was rooster. Happened to our "sexed as pullet chicks".
Although it happen when they were about 8 weeks old.
 
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Thanks everybody he/she stopped after about ten of these things and hasn't done it for. While but I did see one other doing it whilst 'sleeping' so I think it might have just been a yawn to clear the crop or something. Thanks
 

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