My chick is shaking itself on the shavings! Help

[goldeneggtees]

Hi, not sure what is going on but 1 of our chicks is shaking in the shavings and doesn't seem to want to get up. The other chicks are pecking at it's back at the shavings it is shaking up. Any ideas what might be going on? I'm nervous!

 

[DiVon80]

Could it be taking a bath. they lay and roll and flip stuff up on them selves. Sometimes if the food is not covered they will do it in there.

 

[schmije]

Sounds like dustbathing. Perfectly normal and not at all dangerous. Quite entertaining to watch, though.

 

[mommathea]

Yep, sounds like dust bathing. When one dustbathes all the others will croud around and help clean off the shavings Very funny to watch, I was a little frightened the first time I saw it happening. Then I noticed how gently the chickens were pecking and figured if they were being mean the dust bathign bird would start yelling

 

[Matt A NC]

On it's side, flipping around, rubbing it's head into the shavings?

Dustbath without the dust. Completely normal. The others are just helping. Don't be surprised if another joins it.

Matt

 

[redbugs13]

I was using shredded paper and switched to shavings yesterday. One of my chicks started doing this and was acting kinda retarded it was on its side kicking, and then would switch sides, it didn't even care when one of the ducklings sat on her head! I watched it for a while and then thought it might be choking or something, I reached in to pick it up and it didn't run away like usual. But it seemed normal when I was holding it. I put it back in and it started up again. I walked away and came back 5 - 10 min later and 3 of them were doing it.... so I figured it just might be something that they do, like taking a dust bath, only in the shavings since they aren't outside yet.

 

[Gazinga]

sounds like a dust bath to me.....youll learn to enjoy it......can be quite entertaining

 

[goldeneggtees]

Whew! It seems to be fine now. I love these chicks so much and unfortunately have added yet another worry to my life! :–) But it's sure to be a satisfying one! They are buff orps and are so very precious (and cute). They are so innocent and small. And of course vulnerable. Thanks! I feel better (for now).

Oh, one more question, how often do you change the shavings? I read once a week but that does not seem like enough. We've only had them for 2 days now.

 

[mommathea]

Changing the shavings for me depends on how much space you have for the chicks. Well I guess that would depend on the state of the shavings.
I usualy change 1x a week, more of then if they knock over the water'er or however they manage to make a huge wet mess.
But daily I will throw a couple of handfuls of fresh bedding in the brooder and change 1x weekly or as needed.

 

[CityClucks]

How big of a space do you have them in? If it's small you'll need to change bedding more often. With a larger space you can stir the shavings around and add a little fresh bedding on top to keep the smell down between litter changes.