Is it Gapeworm?

[dandy100]

Hi, I have a 2 month old buff orpington hen that frequently opens her beak and sticks her neck out (gapes). She occasionally shakes her head, but not often. No coughing or signs of respiratory distress. Occasional sneezing but it seems like all our chickens (5) do that. They've been mostly in their henhouse, so I don't think they've eaten any slugs, snails, earthworms...only moths and a few beatles. Can chickens get gapeworm without eating a slug, snail, earthworm?

So I'm a newbie at this...am I just being paranoid or do you think she has gape worm? She definitely gapes alot but is that just something some chikens do? If she does have gapeworm what's the best medication/dosage?

I really appreciate any advice. Thanks!

 

[sumi]

I had 3 chicks with exactly the same symptoms. I looked here and thought it may be gape worm, but it turned out it was something they ate that somehow got stuck in their throats. What helped mine is that we rubbed their throats hard and loosened whatever it was. But it's risky and yours may have gape worm, so I'd suggest getting a vet to have a look, if you can. He/she would be able to diagnose and treat them.
Good luck!

 

[dandy100]

Thanks! The gaping has been occuring for 2 or 3 weeks now, so would that make it more likely that it was gapeworm vs. something stuck in her throat? I can't seem to find a chicken vet but will keep looking.
dana

 

[dawg53]

Thanks! The gaping has been occuring for 2 or 3 weeks now, so would that make it more likely that it was gapeworm vs. something stuck in her throat? I can't seem to find a chicken vet but will keep looking.
dana

Your chicken would be dead by now if it were gapeworm. Most likely she has something stuck in her throat or crop and is adjusting accordingly. Give her 1 eyedropperful of olive oil to swallow, gently massage her throat in a downward motion to the base of her crop. She will either pass it or puke it up.

 

[dandy100]

Ok Thanks I will give that a try. She's my favorite gal so I hope that does it. Does gapeworm kill that quickly?

 

[dawg53]

Yes gapeworm kills quickly. They clog the windpipe and the chicken suffocates to death.

 

[sumi]

dawg53 gave you some good advice. Hope it works! Keep us posted.

 

[n8ivetxn]

That is a totally grose pic, I can understand how that would suffocate an animal. I need to remember this stuff - you guys make this website a wonderful tool, really. My flock and I would be lost without BYCers.....

 

[mhack33]

Hi! My 7 month old silver laced wyandotte has been acting weird and it's only been one day so I saw that the symptoms were gapeworm. She doesn't gasp often but we have separated her from the others as i have heard that it can spread to the others. How long from the time of infection would she die? I just want to make sure that I get her the treatment that she needs before it's too late.

 

[dawg53]

Hi! My 7 month old silver laced wyandotte has been acting weird and it's only been one day so I saw that the symptoms were gapeworm. She doesn't gasp often but we have separated her from the others as i have heard that it can spread to the others. How long from the time of infection would she die? I just want to make sure that I get her the treatment that she needs before it's too late.

What do you mean by "acting weird?" If she isnt gasping often, then it isnt gapeworm. She either is simply yawning, or has something stuck in her crop or throat, or has a respiratory disease.