Gaping Cockerel

[MO-Chickie]

Hi all - I have a little Polish cockerel about 6 weeks old that I noticed stretching his neck and almost gagging/swallowing yesterday. All of the new babies got a bit of sunshine and were in a temporary pen, so I assumed he just got a long piece of grass that wasn't going down right because I didn't see him do it again. They were fed and watered this morning, but I had a million things to do so I didn't hang out with them like I usually do. Tonight he's definitely gaping, stretching his neck and made a tiny little sound when I picked him up. No nasal or ocular discharge at all, no sneezing, no coughing and his vent is clear. His crop is empty, so I'm guessing he hasn't eaten today but pecked a bit at the fresh food I put out tonight.

I've read about the usual chicken diseases, but with no other symptoms I'm at a loss. I did read about gapeworm, but didn't think that would be the problem since he's a hatchery chick and has been inside his entire life except for yesterday afternoon. Can gapeworm be transmitted from hen to chick in the egg? Any of you experienced chickeneers have any ideas? I'm partial to these silly poof-headed creatures and would love keep him around. LOL

Thanks!

--Amy

 

[dawg53]

It's not gapeworm. Most likely he is adjusting his neck or crop to swallow something he ate. Give him a small piece of bread soaked in olive oil to eat, it may help.