Help!! Are my chicks sick? They make yawning motions and tiny sneeze

[lisahaschickens]

I am a new chicken owner and I have 15 chicks that turns 3 weeks old today. Starting yesterday, I heard some teeny little puff sounds that are very quiet but I think they are sneezes. At first I thought it was just one, but most of them (if not all) seem to be doing it now and again today. Also, every once in a while one will make a "yawning" motion by opening its mouth wide and stertching out its neck and closing its eyes. This was a rare occurrence today but just now one Buff Orpington chick laid down to sleep and was doing it over and over again.

Otherwise, all seem healthy and happy... they eat and sleep and play and bug each other and they fly around and perch on things and climb on things. Could they be sick or am I being overly paranoid??

 

[lisahaschickens]

Maybe I worded the title wrong since I haven't gotten any replies... but I am really worried! If this is something that could get bad and I could do something to stop it now, I would like to do it. Maybe it's totally normal, but I am having a hard time not worrying.

The "yawning" could also be described as "gagging." SCARY, in my mind at least.

 

[rebecca10782]

It's normal, for mine at least. I have heard other people mention it about their chickens too. We take the best care of our chickens, and they do this, sometimes get diarrea, they sneeze, etc. I have seen a lot of posts that say all these things mean they are very sick. Every batch of babies and all our hens have had these things and we could not do anything more to keep our chickens healthy. They are spoiled rotton with wholesome food, love, freeranging, excersize...so it has to be pretty normal.
The only thing I can think of, which should be done anyway is to feed your babies high quality medicated feed. As long as they are all jumping around and happy, I am sure they will be fine

 

[nzpouter]

put them near your ear, do you hear gurgling sound? If yes, isolate.

 

[lisahaschickens]

Thank you SO much! I really appreciate it. I will keep that all in mind and just keep and eye on them to make sure they don't act like they're sick. I really do give them everything that I'm supposed to and more... lots of heat and space and clean shavings, high-quality feed, they were vaccinated, etc, etc.

Where in the Bay Area are you located? I was born and raised in Oakland and until last year I lived on my family's ranch in Danville/Pleasanton. I have only been in the NW for a few months.

 

[lisahaschickens]

it'll sure be hard to catch them, but I will if you think I really should. Would I hear the gurgling noise in otherwise healthy chicks? If so, what does it mean and after I isolate them, what should I do?

 

[Zahboo]

Gurgling sound means respiratory infection. This can be bad in young chicks if not treated. If it wasn't for the sneezing, I'd say it's just yawning, or possible crowing. My chickens yawn ALL the time, a local farmer told me what they were doing...

 

[Orpington Poultry]

Hi, any nasal discharge or watery eyes?

How is the ventilation?

Sometimes the poultry dust can cause irritation. What is the bedding you are uing?

K.

 

[rebecca10782]

Quote:
No problem

I sent you a PM.

 

[lisahaschickens]

I am using white shavings and there is excellent ventilation. There is no nasal discharge or anything. The sneezes are very tiny and not super frequent. They seem so healthy and active, I am really hoping it's just dust or something else that's tickling their noses, but I'm keeping a close eye on them. This morning there were only a couple of teeny sneezes and I spent about 30 minutes sitting with them and no yawning, so hopefully that part really is just yawning (that's what it looks like). I am just trying to do my best to be careful.