Kitten Does Not Meow?

I have a kitten around 9 weeks old. He adopted us when he was 6wks old. The first night we had him in his cage he his all night and any time he would try to meow, no sound came out his little mouth. Well he is accomodated to everything and everyone (dogs, cats, and people). But still anytime he looks at you and meows, there is either no sound or only a faint squeak. He has NO problem purring. He came pur pretty loudly. Any ideas as to why he can't meow? We were thinking someone or something may have tried to hurt him. But are not sure.

Some kitties don't meow.  If he came from a feral mom, they teach their kittens to not meow as a protection from predators.

My kitties don't really meow either. The only times they do is when they want out/in ("get me out of here!" "let me in!") or if they're really hungry. One of my cats usually chirps, more than meowing

Thanks for the replies. Learned something new.

Interesting about the feral. Our BabyMook is from a feral mom and she does not meow. She does have a song she sings. It sounds a lot like the one Mortica from the Addams family.