Hens shaking heads at night

[Bleumoon]

Most of my hens are shaking their heads repeatedly as they get settled at night, almost as if they have itchy ears. I’m not sure what is going on.
I had two thoughts: (a) gape worm or (b) respiratory infection.
If (a), what medication (in U.S.) would work? Should I try to swab one of their throats?
If (b), is there any way of determining what it is and/or treating it?
They have roosting bars in the coop, that is well ventilated and uses sand as the base (easy to clean).
I just want my girls to be safe, healthy and happy. If anyone has any ideas, I’d really appreciate it. TIA.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Most of my hens are shaking their heads repeatedly as they get settled at night, almost as if they have itchy ears. I’m not sure what is going on.
I had two thoughts: (a) gape worm or (b) respiratory infection.
If (a), what medication (in U.S.) would work? Should I try to swab one of their throats?
If (b), is there any way of determining what it is and/or treating it?
They have roosting bars in the coop, that is well ventilated and uses sand as the base (easy to clean).
I just want my girls to be safe, healthy and happy. If anyone has any ideas, I’d really appreciate it. TIA.

Have you looked them over really well for lice and mites?
Nighttime is a good time to check for mites (and lice too), go out while they are roosting, look around their vents, under the wings, their head, ears, etc. and see if there are any bugs crawling.

Also, curious at your other posts...in the photo contest, you posted a photo of one of your birds - looks like her nostril is clogged up. I would check all the birds to see if something like that is going on. The nostrils need to be unplugged - this could be a cause of head shaking. Ear infection is another thing too - look inside their ears.
Looks like you have had respiratory illness in your flock too? Maybe want to make sure the birds are not becoming symptomatic again.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ow-us-your-flock.1340750/page-6#post-21982197

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/tylan-50-injection-dosage.1217654/page-2#post-21881618

 

[Bleumoon]

Have you looked them over really well for lice and mites?
Nighttime is a good time to check for mites (and lice too), go out while they are roosting, look around their vents, under the wings, their head, ears, etc. and see if there are any bugs crawling.

Also, curious at your other posts...in the photo contest, you posted a photo of one of your birds - looks like her nostril is clogged up. I would check all the birds to see if something like that is going on. The nostrils need to be unplugged - this could be a cause of head shaking. Ear infection is another thing too - look inside their ears.
Looks like you have had respiratory illness in your flock too? Maybe want to make sure the birds are not becoming symptomatic again.
View attachment 1971566
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ow-us-your-flock.1340750/page-6#post-21982197

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/tylan-50-injection-dosage.1217654/page-2#post-21881618

Thanks for all these great ideas! I will start implementing first thing tomorrow morning.