Chicks sneezing, and twitching heads. What could our chicks have? Help please.

[rhemerick]

We have 10 chicks ranging in ages of 1 1/2 weeks to almost 5 weeks of age. A week or so ago I noticed that some of the older chicks were having a strange head tick, but it seemed to go away on its own, so I thought it may be stress or dehydration. Then today one of the 1 1/2 week old chicks sneezed a couple of times. Tonight 4 out of 6 of our almost 5 week old chicks are sneezing, and have the head tick again, and 2 are extending their necks and opening their beaks like they are trying to crow.

Just to review the symptoms are: sneezing, twitching heads, and extending necks and opening beaks like they are trying to crow (They are all hens, no Roos).

What could be wrong with our chicks?

 

[Chickmagnet36]

I'm no expert, but this sounds like it could be normal chick activity. My 6 chicks (now 8 weeks old) did the same things at that age. I've read that the sneezing can be brought on by dusty conditions in their enclosure due to all the scratching, flying etc...Mine twitch their heads when exposed to higher pitched sounds too (daughter's voice). I'm not sure why they do the open-mouthed "crow" thing, but mine do it to this day, and they all seem perfectly fine. If they are otherwise healthy, active, eating / sleeping normally, then it could be nothing to worry about. If the sneezing is associated with other symptoms like runny nose or loss of apetite, then I would seek an expert's opinion. Keep a close eye on them, to see if symtoms worsen or if new symptoms develop.

 

[Ncfarm828]

We have 10 chicks ranging in ages of 1 1/2 weeks to almost 5 weeks of age. A week or so ago I noticed that some of the older chicks were having a strange head tick, but it seemed to go away on its own, so I thought it may be stress or dehydration. Then today one of the 1 1/2 week old chicks sneezed a couple of times. Tonight 4 out of 6 of our almost 5 week old chicks are sneezing, and have the head tick again, and 2 are extending their necks and opening their beaks like they are trying to crow.

Just to review the symptoms are: sneezing, twitching heads, and extending necks and opening beaks like they are trying to crow (They are all hens, no Roos).

What could be wrong with our chicks?

What ever happened with your chicks? Mine are doing the same thing, I’ve tried everything but nothing seems to help.

 

[Sally PB]

@Ncfarm828, this thread is 12 years old. Neither poster has been on in 9 years, so you're not likely to get an answer. You should make a new thread, detailing you chicks' symptoms. You're much more likely to get an answer that way.

And,

 

[Eggcessive]

What ever happened with your chicks? Mine are doing the same thing, I’ve tried everything but nothing seems to help.

Here is where to post a new thread, and include age, symptoms, where the chicks came from:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures.10/post-thread