Yawning while eating

[donteatbees]

Hello everyone! I noticed my chicks "yawning" while eating. I've read that means they're adjusting their crop. I never noticed until today. I was away for two days. I bought them a bit over a week ago. They're about 4 weeks old (I forgot to ask what the exact age was). I wouldn't say it's excessive, but they were all doing it.
Is there anything I can do to help them? They free range and get grit naturally and are eating chick feed.

Am I just stressed over nothing?

 

[2ndTink]

I would assume they are ok. Are they drinking enough water? Pooping normally and crops emptying overnight?

 

[donteatbees]

I would assume they are ok. Are they drinking enough water? Pooping normally and crops emptying overnight?

Oh yeah, they drink plenty and poop even more somehow haha. How do I know if they're emptying their crops overnight?

 

[GlicksChicks]

Oh yeah, they drink plenty and poop even more somehow haha. How do I know if they're emptying their crops overnight?

Check on them in the morning before they eat or drink. Feel their crops to see if they are empty. If they are, they are emptying overnight. If they aren't empty, then they have a crop issue.

 

[donteatbees]

Check on them in the morning before they eat or drink. Feel their crops to see if they are empty. If they are, they are emptying overnight. If they aren't empty, then they have a crop issue.

They were doing good this morning and I didn't notice the yawning. It's night now.
I'll check tomorrow morning. Any tips on that? I've never done it before and don't want to hurt or stress the babies!

 

[GlicksChicks]

They were doing good this morning and I didn't notice the yawning. It's night now.
I'll check tomorrow morning. Any tips on that? I've never done it before and don't want to hurt or stress the babies!

All you do it oick them up and massage their crops to see if you feel anything. If their chest and flat with no crop you are able to feel, then their crops are okay.

You will be able to tell better if you take their food and, possibly water, away overnight, at least for that night, so that they don't have a chance to get up and eat or drink before you come and check. Then you won't be able to tell if they emptied their crops or ate that morning.

 

[donteatbees]

All you do it oick them up and massage their crops to see if you feel anything. If their chest and flat with no crop you are able to feel, then their crops are okay.

You will be able to tell better if you take their food and, possibly water, away overnight, at least for that night, so that they don't have a chance to get up and eat or drink before you come and check. Then you won't be able to tell if they emptied their crops or ate that morning.

Okay, thank you! I might put them in a dog crate so they can't go out when the automatic door opens in the morning!

 

[GlicksChicks]

Okay, thank you! I might put them in a dog crate so they can't go out when the automatic door opens in the morning!

Sounds good! Let us know what you find!

 

[donteatbees]

Sounds good! Let us know what you find!

I haven't managed to check yet, but they've stopped yawning so I think they're good!

 

[2ndTink]

Mayne they were overeating and needing to adjust their crops that day. Chicks and chickens have many mysteries! I'm glad they are behaving normally.