HELP! ...something is wrong with my Rooster!

[j23]

Well, I went out to check on Big Head. He is sitting down on his feet, leaned up against the chicken wire.. he seems as if he is struggling to breath, but there is no noise. I searched and searched the internet and came up with the technical term, "GAPING," which is when they appear to be stretching their beaks. It really means they are struggling to breath.. but I guess I was listening for noise, and mis-naming it on my previous posts.

A quick google search for "gaping" suggests that Big Head may be contaminated with 'Gapeworms.' Go figure. By now I am going to guess that there is little I can do. Even if I had the medication, getting him to eat ANYTHING is impossible. Tomorrow if his condition is the same I am going to put him down, I feel so bad for him.

However, I found what appears to be preventive medication, FLUBENVET 1% FEED MIX which is supposed to prevent both Gapeworms, along with about a half dozen other critters that they pick up. Has anyone used this? HOPEFULLY, when I medicate the others here in the next couple days, IF they have it but not yet are exhibiting symptoms, it will kill them?

Thoughts? Advice? I am really feeling down for taking several days to finally figure out what is wrong. Chickens I am finding are not the easiest animals to diagnose illness.

 

[Patchesnposies]

Quote:
How about just plain ole encouragement? It is hard to diagnose chickens when they become ill. So many symptoms are the same for so many different maladies. You were actively trying to find out what was wrong.....not just ignoring him.....don't be too hard on yourself.

I am glad that you figured out what it is and that it can be prevented. There is another rule when it comes to chickens....if one is going to get sick, eaten by a predator, or disappear....it will be the one you are the fondest of.

 

[j23]

Well, Im not exactly sure that I have figured it out entirely, but after a few hours of internet research, Gapeworms seem to make the most sense as far as what symptoms he is demonstrating.. messy droppings (as I had mentioned,) 'yawning' or 'gaping' which started two or so days ago, and has gotten progressively worse, and it says they become anemic (which would explain his lethargy.) AND, right now is the peak 'worm' season, along with the fact that my flock has never been wormed.

Ive got some Flubenvet on the way. I am just like paranoid now that my others may have ingested the eggs.. I hope Flubenvet works 'mid-egg cycle' so to speak; post-consumption, pre-death?

Anyone?

 

[dawg53]

Flubenvet is a pain in the neck to mix in feed. You shouldve ordered Safeguard liquid goat wormer from Jefferslivestock.com or call them to order it. Maybe even TSC has it but I'm not sure. Safeguard liquid goat wormer(fenbendazole) will kill gapeworm and other worms as well. It is very simple to administer; Dosage is 3cc per gallon of water, leave it out for 3 days straight to drink. It must their sole source of water. Redose in 10 days, the same way. This way, ALL your chickens get wormed. There is a 14 day egg withdrawal after each worming.

 

[Miss Lydia]

don't know if your in the US but maybe not since the wormer your talking about.. but heres another link that may help. and you can also use the Ivermectin pour-on. and don't give up on your roo. usually after treatment they can gome back pretty quick.. http://ultimatefowl.atwiki.com/page/Gapeworm

 

[lady feathers]

I can't find it now but I just read another thred today that told someone how to check for gapeworm... they said to stick a Q-tip 1 inch ino the chickens throatthen gentle swab the inside of the throat, remove the Q-tip and look closely gapeworms are very small (less than 1/4 inch-if I remember correctly) and look like a red "Y". At least then you would know what you are dealing with then could ask some of the more experienced chiken lovers what to use. As long as he is still fighting you should still fight for him! If he has given up... do what is right for him! Good Luck!