Why do my chicks shake their head?

[silkie1472]

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.

I know this is a really old thread, but I recently got some Cochin bantams and noticed that they shake their heads/sneeze pretty often. Some do it more than others. You said that they grew out of it, but when? Mine are about a month old now.

 

[ronniethechicken]

I've a situation with my Brahma chicks as well. They are in a brooder in the bedroom where I'm pretty much confined to where I play my unplugged electric guitar (without an amplifier). My wife noticed as she arrived home from work that they were shaking their heads every two seconds as I was playing guitar. Unbeknownst to me, I may have been playing guitar too long for them to put up with. Luckily, they stopped shaking their heads after I put the guitar away. Could I have damaged their hearing? Does anyone have any information on the science of baby chick/chicken audio-sensory? (If that's the correct way of putting it.) On a side note, I haven't checked for any parasites. They have been really active/healthy.

 

[Barbara55]

One of mine had a shaking head since day one. Now another out of the same batch does it. I haven't seen any mites, and they act normal otherwise. They are now 4 months old. I'm wondering if it's a nervous condition that some are just born with?

 

[Jaimes09]

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.

I have 2 day old chicks that are doing it sometimes. Should i be worried or just keep an eye out for them. Also is it fine if i add corid to electrolyte water?

 

[TylerTheAnimalLover93]

I've got 2 easter eggers amd 2 bielfelders from tractor supply today and 1 I noticed I shaking head and doing like this swallowing as well. I seen this once with a cochin hen I had with a cold and had like sinus drainage and kept swallowing and shaking head. I hope the one I got doesn't have something to give to my new 5 silkie chicks I put in there with them few hours ago from California bc they are some show quality chicks now I'm super paranoid. Did I just screw up by putting them together? Is it too late to separate if only been together few hours max..

 

[Amandayong]

My little one not even a week old does this. When I talk to her. Why? She knows me. I am her mummy hen!

 

[Amandayong]

So why would she be shaking her head when I talk to her?

 

[stumpfinder]

So why would she be shaking her head when I talk to her?

It is quite simple. You are the mommy, they are the children... Their job is to say no all the time.

I am here only because I have 2 cochin chicks that are a week old doing the same thing.