breathing with mouth open

[loidy]

hi loidy here, i've had chooks for over a year, and am still learning. have, from time to time noticed hens breathing with mouth open, while sitting in nesting box. (with tongue working). why is this, can anyone tell me? is it due to heat? or could it be straining to push out the egg?

 

[magicpigeon]

Mine do that sometimes when they're hot

 

[Petej]

Mine do that all the time, hot or not.

Usually when the mouths are open, they make noise.....

I don't think you have much to worry about.

 

[MTopPA_18707]

It's not normal that the birds are breathing through their mouth.

There are a number of possible causes . . . including:

- They are very hot.

- Grapeworm [ that would also explain the sound.]

It could be something else too . . . .


Tell us more about your flock . . . how many birds and what age(s) ?
What percentage of the flock has this symptom ?

Does the coop have good ventilation ?
When you go in the coop, are you comfortable breathing in there . . . or do your eyes water from the ammonia smell ?
If you're uncomfortable then birds are suffering because their respiratory systems are much more sensitive than ours.

Xriva

 

[Sjisty]

When they are in the nest box panting, they are usually "in labor." It's hard work pushing an egg out! Nothing to worry about.

ETA - Welcome to BYC!