3 week old chick "cheep" is not sounding right.

[annabelle12]

Hello all. I have a batch of 12 chicks...this is my first time brooding them. They are great fun. They are 3 weeks old and I have one that doesn't cheep. She makes a sound hand to describe, perhaps a bit like a whistle from time to time, not constantly with every breath. She is one of the larger girls, eating and drinking well and normal activity...no discharges or the like. Has anyone else experienced this? I would like to identify what is going on for the health of my flock. Thanks for your input.

 

[ChickenBoy2013]

It sounds like you may have a young rooster trying to make its first crowing noises. Some chickens start to crow early on but others wait until they are fully grown and it sounds like you have an early bloomer. It can also mean that the chick just has a different "voice" just like us humans.

 

[annabelle12]

I have a better definition for the sound - it is almost like a creaky wheel that needs a little oil!

 

[debid]

It's hard to guess without hearing it. A couple of things come to mind. One, it might be a cockerel making first crowing attempts. It can sound very squeaky and some do start that young. If the sound is new, that'd be my guess. Or, it might be just the way this chick vocalizes if it's done this all along. I've had some chicks that growl and squeak rather than cheeping.

 

[Ceilismom]

It's too soon to know for sure, but I think it's likely that you've got a baby rooster in your brooder. I bought 8 buff orpington pullets from the feed store last spring, and I heard that sound from one of them. I watched that chick grow into a nice rooster.

 

[annabelle12]

I've noticed the squeak/creak sound for about a week. A rooster or a "different voice" is much better news than an ailment so I'll hope for one of those and keep an eye on her (or him Thanks for the input.