Why do my chicks shake their head?

[katanne555]

I have 4 two week old White Plymouth Rock chicks, and I noticed that they twitch/shake their head sometimes. Is this normal? Are my chicks okay?

 

[CherishHolland]

It is normal,unless it something that is constant; if constant I would check for mites/lice also check breathing maybe an indicator that they may have a cold.

 

[katanne555]

They do it often, but there doesn't seem to be anything else wrong with them. If they do have mites or lice, what should I be looking for when I check them?

 

[CherishHolland]

They do it often, but there doesn't seem to be anything else wrong with them. If they do have mites or lice, what should I be looking for when I check them?

When I am checking my flock of 70+ for mites the best place I have found to look for them is by the vent, you can usually see little things running if they have mites/lice. Also look for clumps of hard stuff by the shaft of the feathers,we had a lice outbreak this summer. I bathed each chicken and then dusted them with some good ol sevin dust then reapplied again about a week later also cleaned and dusted the coop making sure to pay attention to the nooks and crannies.

 

[katanne555]

Okay thanks haven't found any signs of mites yet, but ill keep checking them

 

[PrairieChickens]

We purchased a batch of bantam cochin chicks this past spring, and they shook their heads a lot more than what I was accustomed to. I fretted about it at first, but could find nothing wrong, and they eventually grew out of the habit. If you don't see any other signs of illness or parasites, I wouldn't worry too much. Just keep an eye on them like you normally would and they should be fine.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Chickens will also shake their heads when listening to you. For example, when I talk to my chickens inside the shed, all of them shake their heads simultaneously. My silkie flock does this also even outside. Try talking to them and see if they do it.

Also this can happen with mites as others said, where they shake their heads every 5-15 seconds- I have seen that before.

Additionally respiratory disease, ear mites, ear infection, etc. can cause it.

If these are healthy chicks you have, it may be the listening to you talk thing.

 

[katanne555]

You were right! They only shook their heads when I talked to them! I was watching them, and when I talked to them, theyd all shake their heads. When I was silent, they didn't. Thank you so much, I was worried something was wrong but I guess they are just listening to me

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

You were right! They only shook their heads when I talked to them! I was watching them, and when I talked to them, theyd all shake their heads. When I was silent, they didn't. Thank you so much, I was worried something was wrong but I guess they are just listening to me

Oh good! You are welcome!

I think their hearing must be very good or something LOL. I always think they are saying to me, "You are talking too loudly, please quiet down!"

 

[spamfritter75]

My little one is two weeks and does this . More noticeable when she is relaxing ?