Gapeworm

[anicholas]

Does anyone know how to treat chickens for gapeworm?
I think one of my hens died from it today. . She seemed to have all the symptoms and I’d like to treat the rest of my flock.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Does anyone know how to treat chickens for gapeworm?
I think one of my hens died from it today. . She seemed to have all the symptoms and I’d like to treat the rest of my flock.

I'm sorry to hear about your hen.
Was it the same one you posted about previously?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/behaving-strangely.1441162/

To find out the cause you may consider getting necropsy/testing you can find your state lab here https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

The symptoms you describe in the other thread (if it's the same hen) could be from a number of things - crop issue/blockage, canker and respiratory disease are a few common problems. Gapeworm is a possibility but birds generally stop eating/drinking because they are always gaping.
You can treat your flock for Gapeworm if you feel it's necessary. Getting a fecal float is also another option that way you don't treat needlessly, especially if you don't see any symptoms in other birds.
Gapeworm can be treated with Fenbendazole (Safeguard). I would use the dose of .23ml per pound of weight given orally once a day for 5 days in a row.

 

[anicholas]

I'm sorry to hear about your hen.
Was it the same one you posted about previously?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/behaving-strangely.1441162/

To find out the cause you may consider getting necropsy/testing you can find your state lab here https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

The symptoms you describe in the other thread (if it's the same hen) could be from a number of things - crop issue/blockage, canker and respiratory disease are a few common problems. Gapeworm is a possibility but birds generally stop eating/drinking because they are always gaping.
You can treat your flock for Gapeworm if you feel it's necessary. Getting a fecal float is also another option that way you don't treat needlessly, especially if you don't see any symptoms in other birds.
Gapeworm can be treated with Fenbendazole (Safeguard). I would use the dose of .23ml per pound of weight given orally once a day for 5 days in a row.

Thanks so much for your thoughtful reply. Yes, this is the same bird I posted about earlier. I called the feed mill where I purchased the chick (the chicken vet is off) and he, too, doubted the hen died of gapeworm and instead immediately settled on Merrick’s disease because of the opening and closing beak plus greenish/whitish diarrhea. He said all of the chicks he sells are vaccinated against Merrick’s but it’s not 100% effective and she could’ve been improperly vaccinated.
I sent videos of the bird exhibiting symptoms to the vet and have to wait until Monday to see what he thinks. So very kind of you to weigh in too! We’d hate to lose any more of our beloved hens!