Curious Behavior

[Queen of the chickens]

I have just recently noticed that some of our chicks open their beaks as if to squawk, but no sound comes out. It almost looks like they are gagging. Anybody know what this behavior means?

 

[ci_cyfarth]

Panting, maybe? What's the temperature like in your brooder? How do they arrange themselves in relation to the beam of your heat lamp?

 

[Fierlin1182]

There's only two times I've ever seen them do this, if they're panting (it gets very hot at summer out here - like cyfarth said, check that they're not too warm) or sometimes they do it if they're eating and are trying to get something to go down. But if everyone's opening their beaks, this is probably unlikely.

 

[ButchGood]

I had 2 birds at 3 weeks old doing this. They just got something caught in their throat and trying to get it down. It kind of looks like a silent crow. Ive noticed this especially when the chicks go outside and try foods they have never tried before.

 

[Queen of the chickens]

I don't think it's heat related panting. I usually happens when we have them out and are cuddling them or take them outside. It does look exactly like a silent crow. I wondered if young cockerels attempt to crow before they can make sound and that's what they are doing.