1 week old chick - "Gagging" behavior - what's wrong?? (video)

[Chickchix]

Our Australorp chick - 6 days old - keeps craning her neck and opening her beak, but not chirping when she does it. Her crop doesn't feel any bigger than the other chicks'. She's pooping. I (think) I attached a video so you can see. Any ideas?? Thanks!

 

[d.k]

*Does she seem to be drinking enough?? Not taking in enough liquid would be my first thought? Pooing normally? Not too dry or too small an amount?

 

[Chickchix]

She is drinking and pooing just fine.

She was away from her waterer at the time, and when she went back into the brooder, she did drink a lot. Maybe just a dry throat??

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

I think its normal. our chickens do it alot. They have food and water availible at all times and on pine shavings. I thought it was yawning or trying to crow. I might be wrong but thats what mine do as well

 

[luvmychicknkids]

One of my big chickens was doing the same thing yesterday. She had been picking at a small bush and had a tiny stick in her throat.....once it was gone whe was fine. Since this guy is so tiny could it just be a piece of food or something in her throat?

 

[Chickchix]

Well, I feel better. Thanks everyone. At least it doesn't sound like it's something immediately life-threatening. Although,

Quote:
that could be bad. We're only allowed hens, no roos!!

 

[d.k]

*UH-OH!! Hadn't even thought of that!!! Ya think??? ~

 

[LinckHillPoultry]

looks like excessive yawning

 

[Chickchix]

Boy, don't I feel like a new mom??!!

Thanks all, she seems just fine now. Peeping up a storm and roosting on everyone and everything.

 

[SeaChick]

Hey Alisa,
Our Australorp, Olympia, used to do that ALL THE TIME when she was a baby! We were so scared. But it's just yawning. Some of our new chicks do it a little, but Olympia did it a whole lot. I think your baby will be fine!
Stacey