3 Week Old Chicks Gagging

[Serotonin]

Hello everyone! A week or so ago I noticed one of my then 2-ish week old, now 3 week old baby chicks doing something odd. She would stretch her neck upward and open her mouth, but no noise would come out. Sometimes she'd shake her head too. She seemed fine outside of that - eating and drinking normally, being active, no visible signs of sickness (at least to a chicken newbie like me), so I forced myself to not think too much of it. But since then, I've caught just about every chick doing it. Sometimes it's something they just do once, sometimes it's something they do a few times in short succession. But they always carry on their pecking, eating, and drinking immediately after.

After researching, I'm worried it may be gape worm. My chicks are indoors (on aspen bedding), but I do shovel dirt from outside into a cat litter bin for them to dust bathe/peck through. I thought about getting and giving them Fenbendazole (Safe-Guard) just to be safe, but I read that it might not be safe for chicks this young.

I'm not sure what to do or what it might be. I'd really appreciate any suggestions or advice anyone could give.

 

[dawg53]

No, it's not gapeworm. Every time a chicken yawns or shakes its head, people think it's gapeworm. Your chicks are simply stretching their necks and yawning to adjust their crop, it's normal for chicks and adults to do this.

 

[Serotonin]

No, it's not gapeworm. Every time a chicken yawns or shakes its head, people think it's gapeworm. Your chicks are simply stretching their necks and yawning to adjust their crop, it's normal for chicks and adults to do this.

Thank you for the reassurance. I've never had chickens before, so I'm still not sure what's "normal" yet or not and I tend to go immediately to worst case scenario.

 

[dawg53]

Thank you for the reassurance. I've never had chickens before, so I'm still not sure what's "normal" yet or not and I tend to go immediately to worst case scenario.

Soon your chicks will be losing their fluff due to their feathers starting to grow out. There will be fluff and dander everywhere in the brooder. They will be scratching themselves and it will be irritable for them. Once they feather out, they'll be fine. Then they'll be hopping around and trying to fly in the brooder.
All of this is normal, so dont worry and good luck.

 

[half_enchilada]

Hi there! My chicks (4 weeks old) are doing the exact same thing and they’re also indoors on pine bedding with no other chickens. I was also worried about gapeworm but perplexed by how they could have gotten it. They seem happy and healthy in every other way. Since you have written this, have your chicks seemed to be doing alright still? I am so worried about my chicks!

 

[Serotonin]

Hi there! My chicks (4 weeks old) are doing the exact same thing and they’re also indoors on pine bedding with no other chickens. I was also worried about gapeworm but perplexed by how they could have gotten it. They seem happy and healthy in every other way. Since you have written this, have your chicks seemed to be doing alright still? I am so worried about my chicks!

Hey half_enchilada! My chicks are now five weeks old and seem happy and healthy. They still do the yawning/gagging thing from time to time, but not as much. I did buy a dewormer but ultimately didn't end up using it, as I didn't want to put them through that regimen unnecessarily. I wonder if the increased "gagging" was because they were eating a lot of chick fluff at the time (they've since mostly feathered out).

But yeah, they all seem fine 2ish weeks later. I'm a beginner and don't really want to give advice, but I'd say if they don't seem sickly, they're probably alright? I totally feel you though, I was so anxious just to wait and see. I hope this provides a bit of reassurance.

 

[half_enchilada]

Hey half_enchilada! My chicks are now five weeks old and seem happy and healthy. They still do the yawning/gagging thing from time to time, but not as much. I did buy a dewormer but ultimately didn't end up using it, as I didn't want to put them through that regimen unnecessarily. I wonder if the increased "gagging" was because they were eating a lot of chick fluff at the time (they've since mostly feathered out).

But yeah, they all seem fine 2ish weeks later. I'm a beginner and don't really want to give advice, but I'd say if they don't seem sickly, they're probably alright? I totally feel you though, I was so anxious just to wait and see. I hope this provides a bit of reassurance.

Serotonin,
Thanks so much for the update. I’m so happy for you and your chicks! It does make me feel a lot less worried knowing someone with almost the exact same situation went through this with a positive result. My chicks are still doing it, but not as much as they were even a few days ago, so I’m hoping it will just keep being less and less. I really appreciate your reply, it did provide some much needed reassurance, thank you again!