Newborn chick shaking its head

[Fee1inclucky]

First time chick mum here! I’ve just brought a two day old bantam Silkie chick (along with others) home from a reputable Hatcher. It keeps shaking it’s head constantly like it’s trying to shake something off. Otherwise seems fine and is eating and drinking! Any ideas what could be wrong?

 

[sourland]

Have you checked to see that its nostrils are not filled with feed/bedding/etc ?

 

[Fee1inclucky]

I gave them a little wipe with a damp cotton bud but I couldn’t see anything obvious

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Welcome To BYC

Can you get a video of the chick's actions?

For video, upload to youtube and provide a link.

 

[honeycomb]

I‘be posted this on another thread but hoping it might be applicable here too and hopefully
my experience might help someone.

I hatched 2 silkie chicks out of 6 shipped eggs. I live in the UK so had them shipped via next day delivery. These were going to be pets and my first birds in many many years (gave up chickens when I had kids). We only currently have a cat.
The chicks were doing well and in a brooder box under a heat plate. We had them in the living room so we could keep a close eye. Around day 5 or so I noticed the older chick head ‘flicking’ every 6 seconds or so, almost as if something was irritating his face/eyes/ears or something. They were otherwise well, eating and drinking, playing as expected and poos normal.
I didn’t think anything of it and thought it had something in the nose. By approx 9 days the second chick also started doing the same thing but both chicks were still well. I couldn’t find anything online that I could use here in the UK.
I decided to take them to a specialist avian vet who looked them over. He did a nasal swab which I’m still awaiting the result of but after his examination he told me that unfortunately he thought it was an infection, likely transmitted from the mother hen through the egg and to the chick (transovarian). I have no birds, not in contact with anyone who has birds and the chicks haven’t even been outside yet and so this is the likely diagnosis. It could either be a viral or a bacterial infection and certain strains pass to the chick this way.
The most common bacterial infection which hens may not show signs of is mycoplasma gallisepticum. I was told these chicks will have it for life and therefore unfortunately will need regular treatment when it flares through stress etc. They unfortunately cannot be given away or sold which is going to be an issue for me as if either or both are roosters then I won’t be able to keep them as I have an urban garden. They would have to be euthanised or culled which I really can’t do.

They’re currently on an antibiotic course and hopefully will get better but I’m really bummed that what should have been an exciting journey is now a bit of a nightmare.

At least I hope my experience will benefit someone whose chicks are showing similar symptoms. I will now ask if the breeder has vaccinated hens and if the flock have ever been treated for this. Lesson learnt.