Gapeworm

[Wyorp Rock]

There is grit readily available and the crop did not feel hard when i check it this am.

I agree, it looks like crop adjusting.
You say the crop did not feel hard this morning, but was it empty - did it have anything in it?

 

[mcdowell89]

It did not feel like anything was there. Im going to remove the food tonight and recheck in the morning. If its his crop can i help fix the problem other than providing grit.

 

[dawg53]

I can tell you that it is not gapeworm and be thankful that it's not. Your Silkie may have eaten a small piece of pine shaving and it got stuck in her esophagus, hence the gaping. As others have mentioned, birds stretch their necks on occasion to adjust their crop.

 

[mcdowell89]

I can tell you that it is not gapeworm and be thankful that it's not. Your Silkie may have eaten a small piece of pine shaving and it got stuck in her esophagus, hence the gaping. As others have mentioned, birds stretch their necks on occasion to adjust their crop.

Is there a way i can help him out with dislodging it ?

 

[dawg53]

We dont know exactly for sure if that's the cause. I know when I've had chicks, they've tried eating shavings, even as adults. That's why I dont use pine shavings anymore.
As far as your chick goes, by gaping and stretching the neck, it should eventually pass depending on the shape and size of the piece of shaving. I suspect it wouldve been only a small piece and should pass if that's the case.

If it gets stuck, sometimes they'll make a quick "cheep" sound, and it may be continuous. It's like a "hiccup" for them. Even adult birds with something stuck in their throat can "hiccup". It can happen particularly when they gorge feed, especially in the mornings after being cooped up all night. They act like they're starving and it's their last meal lol.
Thankfully it doesnt happen all the time.

 

[mcdowell89]

Update on Hai Hai the silkie. Still gaping only sometimes now. But the other bantam cochin is now doing this sometimes too. I'm so confused I checked their crops in the morning nothing, I've been providing fresh water and food. After i check them. They seem happy and healthy otherwise and again no other symptoms except the stretching and gaping.

 

[mcdowell89]

Whats a good bedding substitute instead of these pine chips? I tried sand before but it does nothing to sway odor even after one day it stinks. I clean their coop every other week sometimes every week if its gross.

 

[slordaz]

Sand and it's easier to clean up too

 

[dawg53]

I currently use sand in my coop for my adult birds. I clean it out each morning, then scoop poop in the pens 2 or 3 times a day. There's sand in the pens also.
As far a raising chicks in the brooder, I use newspaper and change it frequently during the day. I layer it and simply pull out one or two sheets of soiled newspaper and throw it in the garbage.
As the chicks grow, they tend to scratch, shred, and tear the paper which requires frequent change out. It can get to be a pain at times, but that's when I usually put them outside in a small covered penned area. That's where they get their first experience being on soil and trying to fly around in the penned area. It's fun to watch them running and flying around
Use whatever you think is best for your birds.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Update on Hai Hai the silkie. Still gaping only sometimes now. But the other bantam cochin is now doing this sometimes too. I'm so confused I checked their crops in the morning nothing, I've been providing fresh water and food. After i check them. They seem happy and healthy otherwise and again no other symptoms except the stretching and gaping.

How old are they?
What's their housing like? (photos?)