Chicken keeps opening mouth

[jools2014]

Hi all,

My oldest chicken (over 5 years old) keeps opening her mouth on and off-she is fine apart from this, eating, drinking, following me around for treats lol. Just this mouth thing I've noticed. Theyve not been wormed in a while but I did used to worm regularly. She doesn't open her mouth much just a bit (I've had chickens with egg yolk peritonitis so I know what it looks like when they really open their mouth and it's not like that more subtle, but it's worrying). Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

What is the temperature where you live? Chickens start panting at 85F.

 

[jools2014]

Hi, it's been fairly hot but I haven't noticed any of the other birds doing it? I think it's been around 20, which would be only 70ishF?

Edit-I looked up vids of chickens panting and it doesn't look like that, far more subtle, she hardly opens her mouth at all, but it's noticeable. Do they do this if they are just a little hot? It's definitely not a full-on panting type of thing. Was hoping it was that!

 

[Engine823]

Mine open their mouths like they are yawning at times. I believe they may have something stuck in their (crawl) not sure that's spelled right.
make sure she has access to plenty of grit

 

[jools2014]

^^ It's quite a constant thing though so not yawning i don't think. I'll check her crop and keep and eye on her.