Chickens have breathing problems.

[Violetsfeathers]

My chickens all seem happy, and healthy. They run around without gasping. The one year olds all have scraggly feathers this year.
But sometimes when they struggle they gasp. One of them will yawn over and over just standing there. Today one was pecked and afterwards she stood still with her head up gasping, her comb got really dark but not purple.
Sometimes if some of them eat too fast it's like they have trouble swallowing? They move their heads and necks like they are trying to get food down? What is wrong? Over a year ago I brought a new chicken into the flock that shook her head and yawned once in a while but it went away so I thought it was better.

Help.

 

[Violetsfeathers]

Anyone? I don't know what to do

 

[Wyorp Rock]

My chickens all seem happy, and healthy. They run around without gasping. The one year olds all have scraggly feathers this year.
But sometimes when they struggle they gasp. One of them will yawn over and over just standing there. Today one was pecked and afterwards she stood still with her head up gasping, her comb got really dark but not purple.
Sometimes if some of them eat too fast it's like they have trouble swallowing? They move their heads and necks like they are trying to get food down? What is wrong? Over a year ago I brought a new chicken into the flock that shook her head and yawned once in a while but it went away so I thought it was better.

Help.

What do you mean when they "struggle" they gasp?

Do you leave feed available free choice during their waking hours?
Do they have a source of grit available?

When chickens eat a little too fast, sometimes they do move their heads to adjust their crop. Swallowing too fast could be stridor.

Make sure they have food available, plenty of fresh clean water, grit (crushed granite) (small stones/pebbles) and oyster shell free choice for your layers.

Do any of them seem to have any sneezing, wheezing or coughing?

 

[Violetsfeathers]

What do you mean when they "struggle" they gasp?

Do you leave feed available free choice during their waking hours?
Do they have a source of grit available?

When chickens eat a little too fast, sometimes they do move their heads to adjust their crop. Swallowing too fast could be stridor.

Make sure they have food available, plenty of fresh clean water, grit (crushed granite) (small stones/pebbles) and oyster shell free choice for your layers.

Do any of them seem to have any sneezing, wheezing or coughing?

Struggle like if they flap when I catch them or if another chicken is grabbing their head and won't let go.
They are free range so they get grit from our drive way. Thy don't sneeze but sometimes they shake their heads, I haven't seen a lot of head shaking lately. I was wondering if it was gapeworm.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Quote: I think what you are seeing is a reaction like stress from being caught or being in a situation where another chicken is grabbing/pecking their head.
Chickens will gape or gasp when under duress.

If they are gasping when eating, then they are in too big of a hurry, possibly worried that they will be run from the feed. You may want to consider adding an extra feed and water station, so there is less stress when feeding.

 

[Violetsfeathers]

I'm sure it's not stress, the first three years I had chickens they never did that. I think it's more than just stress. One hen will just stand there and yawn over and over.

 

[ambergds]

When is the last time you treated them for worms? How old are they?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you post a video of their actions?

If you think it's gapeworm, then check their throat. Gently swap inside their throat with a qtip and gently pull it out. If you see red worms that are Y-shaped then they have gapeworm.
If that's the case then treat with Safeguard or Panacur.

It would be best if you take one of your girls, plus a fecal sample to the vet to have a fecal float test performed for confirmation of worms. This will help you determine what course of treatment you need to use.

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2015/11/control-treatment-of-worms-in-chickens.html
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/381203/gapeworm-treatment-help

 

[Violetsfeathers]

I have never wormed my chickens.
2 are 5 years old, they don't seem to be affected.
2 are 3 years old
1 is around two or three
Four are a year old
One is five months
And five are four months

Is that 15?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have never wormed my chickens.
2 are 5 years old, they don't seem to be affected.
2 are 3 years old
1 is around two or three
Four are a year old
One is five months
And five are four months

Is that 15?

Yes, that's 15.