Chickens with beaks open Does this mean anything?

[Pampered Chicken]

Several of my chickens walk around with there beaks open. Like they are panting. Is this normal? Thanks

 

[The Zoo]

Mine do that too when it's hot outside.

 

[CheerfulHeart2]

Mine do that in the heat or after a big jump in temperature.

 

[biddyboo]

Mine have walked around with their beaks open and their wings held out from their sides when the temperatures and humidity have been high. It's been way too chilly here in mid Missouri for them to display this behavior for weeks though! ~G

 

[chicksrcool]

I noticed mine doing that as well. It hasn't been particulary warm but they have a feather coat-(so warm to me and them are two different stories I'm sure).

 

[Rajadito]

Its called "gullar fluttering" and is functionally equivalent to a dog panting. Animals will do this if they are hot or stressed out.

 

[kathyinmo]

But she's from Vermont. I don't think they have had a heat spell lately.
What about gapeworm?

 

[Pampered Chicken]

I was wondering about worms too. It's not warm here right now.

 

[HBuehler]

I spent way too many years in that little town.Oh so many memories cold boring winters cold cold cold.My sister still lives in Tunbridge oh more memories of the Worlds Fair-rain at least one day is a must..can't have the fair without it.
Warm there right now

Ok couldn't resist I don't think even a dog is panting much up there now.Stress possible or after a chicken run but one thing for sure a Vermont chicken isn't suffering from heat in late October.
Are they tilting or stretching their head in a funny not normal way and acting like something is in their throat? More listless than normal? I did have one with Gapeworm and there was a lot of distress other than beak open with it...we had an awfully wet spring-year actually and gapeworm showed it's ugly ways more than normal.

 

[Pampered Chicken]

Yes you gotta love Vermont. Go to the fair every year with the kids. LOL

They seem fine other then that. It could be that they've been running around. My cats like to run through the middle of them just for fun every now and then. If it's gape worms how do you treat?