Gaping: it must be something more...

aliris

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This is the third thread, sorry. I'll link to the second which was dedicated to too many words about my Maize (and here's the first). She's still gaping. And here's a video of it:

Doesn't seem particularly telling, but maybe y'all can see something helpful.

I did feel her crop just now, late in the day, and it does feel empty. When I squeezed it, it caused her to gape, a lot -- she'd sink down into the earth while I was kneeding it and then rise up and open her mouth large, then sink back down. That's when I decided I needed some advice here! What can I do for her, should I do?

She is better than before, has been slowly gaining back weight. But that tail remains tucked down most of the time -- she actually looks a little better in the mornings I'd say. Though the hunched tail is still there.

Should I soak her in epsom? Should I feel for an egg inside? I don't feel anything from outside. She hasn't laid an egg in months, really. She does seem pretty unhappy, she pads around and complains to me sometimes. She used to not seek me out to discuss things.

I'd appreciate any help anyone has.... thank you!

Posting a still of her hunched up tail too... I can post a better without the netting if needed...

Thanks for your help! She had a 5d course of fenbendazole recently and it may have helped a bit but not a lot. I think I read somewhere once that worms resident in the throat might need different dosing? Those would be a different kind of worm than those resident in the gut, and perhaps ivermectin or a different helmintic or different dose of fenbendazole?

I haven't noticed what her poop is like recently, been trying but failing to catch her at it. I could keep her inside to force an event if necessary?

@Wyorp Rock @casportpony
 

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I did feel her crop just now, late in the day, and it does feel empty. When I squeezed it, it caused her to gape, a lot -- she'd sink down into the earth while I was kneeding it and then rise up and open her mouth large, then sink back down.

Should I soak her in epsom? Should I feel for an egg inside? I don't feel anything from outside. She hasn't laid an egg in months, really.
I'd take care kneading the crop is that's causing her to gape more, rise up and sink down. This is not a good sign, kneading must cause distress, so I wouldn't do that.

I wouldn't soak her, do feel the abdomen below the vent between her legs for any feeling of fluid or bloat.

Re-check the crop first thing in the morning before she's had anything to eat/drink, if it's not emptied, then I'd begin treating the symptoms.

She's not laid eggs in a good while, so she may have something reproductive going on. EYP, Cancer, Salpingitis, etc. Unfortunately these conditions can be common in laying hens and other symptoms like crop problems, fluid, etc., can be a result of these conditions.

You dewormed with Safeguard Liquid Goat Dewormer at a rate of 0.23ml per pound of weight for 5days in a row. This medication and dose should have treated most worms that she would have had, including Gapeworm.
 
I recommend separating these sick birds at least for a few days so you can monitor them (and their poop, feed consumption, etc.) more closely and examine them easily and thoroughly. A dog crate works well.

Keep in mind that 7 years old is a good old age for these breeds and it may just be they are coming to the end of their lives.
 
I recommend separating these sick birds at least for a few days so you can monitor them (and their poop, feed consumption, etc.) more closely and examine them easily and thoroughly. A dog crate works well.

Keep in mind that 7 years old is a good old age for these breeds and it may just be they are coming to the end of their lives.
There's only one hen that is having this chronic issue, the initial thread was started back in August 2025.
 
Thank you all! Yes, there is just one gaping like this. They were all treated with fenbendazole Feb 27-Mar 3. And it took a little while but the one I was most concerned with got better within a couple days of the final treatment. This one, the buff orpington, has gained weight since completion of treatment, but that gaping was going on during the treatment and remains still.

I will check her in the morning but yes, the kneading caused her distress. The other thing that caused distress, obviously, was during the fenbendazole treatment. I'd dose her in the middle of the night and she would make horrible gaping noises. I actually have a video of that someplace but didn't post because it is so old now, and also because I haven't heard that audible wheezing since. But maybe it's a clue?

I will search for a feeling of fluid or bloat below the vent, but not sure what I'm searching for; perhaps I'll know it if felt. Report back soon. Thanks again @Wyorp Rock and @StinkyAcres and @casportpony

Also, here's that audible video from the night of Mar 1:
 

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