4-7 week olds gagging

[Sbr73]

Recently I have noticed my chicks doing like a gagging motion. They stretch their necks out and then gag. No noise. Everything else is good. They were outside a few times and started on chick grit and some seed mix for treats. Is this normal? Should I check for anything? New chick mama. Bad pic but you can see. She’s not the only one doing this. What do I do? TIA

 

[Aapomp831]

If it’s just random and not happening constantly with obvious respiratory distress, they’re probably just adjusting their crops. I wouldn’t worry unless you see lethargy and it becomes a constant issue.

 

[Sbr73]

If it’s just random and not happening constantly with obvious respiratory distress, they’re probably just adjusting their crops. I wouldn’t worry unless you see lethargy and it becomes a constant issue.

Thank you. It happens a few times throughout the day. This is something new I have not seen since getting my chicks. Is there anything else I should watch out for in case I need to treat if it is impacted crop?

 

[Aapomp831]

Thank you. It happens a few times throughout the day. This is something new I have not seen since getting my chicks. Is there anything else I should watch out for in case I need to treat if it is impacted crop?

An impacted crop will be huge and squishy first thing in the morning after 8 to 12 hours with no food or water - signs of distress usually show after there has been an impaction for quite awhile. You also may notice them drinking an excessive amount of water. It’s rare for chicks to have crop issues - keep feeding them the grit (free choice - don’t mix with food) and honestly I wouldn’t do treats until they are older. Chicks this age need their chick food and fresh water only - but grit needs to be available if they are “free ranging.”

 

[cmom]

I don't give my chicks and seeds or grains at that age. Mine only get their crumbles. When they are nearly of the age to start laying then I introduce them to treats of seeds and grains along with some grit. That's just what I do. Others may do things differently. Good luck and have fun...

 

[Mellowmalt]

My banties are doing this all the time. Like a few times a day. They are now 4 months old and doing fine. They've been doing it more than I remember my old chickens doing it but they have all they need and no issues in 4 months. It looks like yawning but it's just adjusting their crop.
Yours looks like a bantam too? It threw me a bit how they'd do it like once an hour but some older ones that are laying that I bought recently don't do it at all so it might just be a bantam thing growing up or their pellets are a bit big for them but like said I don't think it's been an issue for them

 

[cmom]

Chicks don't need grit unless they get grains or seeds. Even when free ranging they will pick up anything they need like small stones. But I don't free range anymore either due to losses from predators in the past. Many people won't agree with this but I do put their grit and oyster shells in their feed when I give them the seeds and grains as treats. They will take what they want. Some commercial feeds have it mixed in with the feed. Again, good luck and have fun...

 

[Cindy in PA]

I give grit from day 2 or 3, sprinkled like salt on their crumbles. I feed only crumbles until 6-8 weeks, but you never know when they might taste the bedding etc.

 

[Sbr73]

My banties are doing this all the time. Like a few times a day. They are now 4 months old and doing fine. They've been doing it more than I remember my old chickens doing it but they have all they need and no issues in 4 months. It looks like yawning but it's just adjusting their crop.
Yours looks like a bantam too? It threw me a bit how they'd do it like once an hour but some older ones that are laying that I bought recently don't do it at all so it might just be a bantam thing growing up or their pellets are a bit big for them but like said I don't think it's been an issue for them

They are all supposed to be standard breed. I hope they are not Bantams.

 

[Sbr73]

Recently I have noticed my chicks doing like a gagging motion. They stretch their necks out and then gag. No noise. Everything else is good. They were outside a few times and started on chick grit and some seed mix for treats. Is this normal? Should I check for anything? New chick mama. Bad pic but you can see. She’s not the only one doing this. What do I do? TIA