2 day old chick keeps swallowing

[Kelllynnl]

I had some baby silkie bantems hatch 2 days ago and I just noticed one of the babies continually swallowing. It seems healthy otherwise. I’ve seen it eating and drinking and it’s not lethargic. It’s been a while since I have had chicks but I don’t think it’s normal.
They have electrolytes to drink and I mixed small bird grit and probiotic powder into their starter.
Any ideas?

 

[WildNectarine]

I had some baby silkie bantems hatch 2 days ago and I just noticed one of the babies continually swallowing. It seems healthy otherwise. I’ve seen it eating and drinking and it’s not lethargic. It’s been a while since I have had chicks but I don’t think it’s normal.
They have electrolytes to drink and I mixed small bird grit and probiotic powder into their starter.
Any ideas?

Is it possible that something’s stuck in it’s mouth? I’d check. And is the electrolyte water their only water source? What probiotic powder did you use? And I wouldn’t mix grit with feed, they pick their own grit when they need it, they might get too much if it’s always in their feed. And they only need grit if they’re eating things other than their feed, like treats.

 

[Kelllynnl]

I’ll check the mouth. The probiotic powder is for humans however I’ve been using it with my birds for over 5 years.
The babies were hatched by a hen however another broody killed one and the mom got off and didn’t want to go back on. I brought them inside to raise that why I added a small amount of grit to the food. I won’t add any the next time I feed!
I had read adding the grit and probiotics helps with pasty butt, which a few of them had- it did stop when I added them

 

[WildNectarine]

I’ll check the mouth. The probiotic powder is for humans however I’ve been using it with my birds for over 5 years.
The babies were hatched by a hen however another broody killed one and the mom got off and didn’t want to go back on. I brought them inside to raise that why I added a small amount of grit to the food. I won’t add any the next time I feed!
I had read adding the grit and probiotics helps with pasty butt, which a few of them had- it did stop when I added them

I’d gently feel the crop for anything strange, too. What are you using for brooder flooring?

 

[Kelllynnl]

I use pee pads until they get a bit older otherwise I find they try to eat the shavings.

 

[WildNectarine]

I use pee pads until they get a bit older otherwise I find they try to eat the shavings.

Good, pine shavings are toxic anyways with the scent oils, but that rules that out.

 

[Kelllynnl]

It’s quite difficult to check! They are so tiny. I was able to give the crop a massage so hopefully that will help.

That’s their set up for now. I’ll usually add perches and mirrors however I was unprepared as I was hopeful the mom would raise them.

 

[WildNectarine]

It’s quite difficult to check! They are so tiny. I was able to give the crop a massage so hopefully that will help.

That’s their set up for now. I’ll usually add perches and mirrors however I was unprepared as I was hopeful the mom would raise them.

That looks good. I’d definitely get them into something bigger as they grow, but I’m sure you’ve got it handled. Honestly, if nothing else seems wrong with the chick, I wouldn’t worry too much, I’d keep checking the crop to see if it’s filling and emptying like normal in the morning and whatnot, but if food can go through then it should be all good. The chewing, from my brief google, doesn’t seem to be a glaring symptom of anything, but if other things start up then we’ll know. You could start weighing the chick to see if they’re growing healthily, too, to rule out more things. The only thing I really heard about chewing behavior in chicks was in the incubator after early hatches, where the behavior meant they were still absorbing yolk, so maybe as it gets further from hatch it’ll stop, definitely keep us updated!

 

[Kelllynnl]

Thanks. It will only be good for another week max. I wasn’t prepared to be mama and that was the available option. I have a XPEN they will soon spend most of their inside time in as well as a huge chicken tractor outside they can spend the day In as soon as appropriate.

The massage seemed to help so will definitely keep a close eye on that chick.

I appreciate your help and looking into what could be the issue.