Another Head Twitch Question-**Updated

[musicmama]

I have scoured the boards for responses to head twitches, but haven't found any situation exactly like ours?
We have 6 chicks that are about 5-6 weeks old.
They ALL shake their heads.
Like SUPER fast twitches or ticks.

They occasionally sneeze, but definitely not constantly or anything, and none of them have any form of nasal discharge that I have noticed.
Their eyes look clear.
I think their poop looks fine?

They are let out in the back yard occasionally, but put back in their brooder in the house until hubby is done building their coop this week.

They all eat and drink fine.

I tried to inspect them for mites, but didn't notice anything.

SO..the frustrating part for me, is that it seems like there are a million "reasons" I have found on message boards for what this could be.

People suggest anything from mites, to colds, to gape worms, and if I'm not sure, then what am I supposed to do?

Do people medicate for one thing and then if that doesn't work, move on to the next? or medicate all at once? (Like for colds, worms, mites, etc.)

My common sense tells me you wouldn't do that, but I'm not sure?

**Updated to say that their bedding is this sort of recycled cardboard/fluff stuff that is a bit dusty and before that, they had pine chips.

**Also, JUST for the first time noticed one scratching at it's ear. I feel like I have a hunch it's mites.
I could be wrong, but mite medicine seems like the gentlest thing to try first to eliminate the other possibilities?

 

[For-The-Love-Of-Chickens]

OK, this could be really out there, but is there a sound they could be reacting to? Something high pitched that is bothering them? I know our chicks would do that when the dryer was running (their brooder was in the laundry room).

 

[pips&peeps]

Mycoplasma Synovaie.

 

[crazyhen]

Mine had the twitches too. And yes it started when they were about 4 or 5 weeks old. Some do it worse than others. Mine are fine. I had them tested twice, no mycroplasms,viruses, salmonella or pylorrum. I think i was overly sensitive to their behavior too a bit. I had not had chicks before. lol. I hope this is the same with you. Although it could be mycroplasms. I also found that in my brooder I did not have enough air circulation. I was so absorbed at keeping them warm and out of drafts I almost killed them with kindness. The type of bedding can be a problem too. Some of it is dusty to the extreme. If you can not stand to have your face next to it at chick level. Then neither can the chicks. Good luck and enjoy. You can watch for problems, but I hope non are found. They can not be tested till they are 4 months old by the agr. dept. Gloria Jean