Is she choking?

[Suziers]

One of my 20 week old BO's is walking around and opening her beak wide and looking like she is gagging. It happens about once every 2-5 minutes. Is this something to be concerned about?

Let me know.

Suzie

 

[Indiana hens]

Absolutely! Many lung disorders show up this way.

 

[starforever61]

I read a while ago that hens open their beaks, extend their wings, and make a funny noise when they're thirsty or dehydrated. Did you check the waterers?

 

[Year of the Rooster]

Quote:
Lung disorders? I don't think so..

I think she is just hot or panting. Or she may be moving around food in her crop.

 

[Happy Chooks]

If they are panting, you will see their beak open(and kept open) and the area of their neck under their beak will me pulsing in and out. Sorry, it's hard to explain.

Occasionally mine will open their mouth and extend their neck a bit. Mine do this when they have something stuck and they only do it a few times, then back to normal.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Oh and with panting, mine will have the front part of their wings out from their body.

 

[Wynette]

It's also an indicator of gapeworm. To check, per my avian vet, hold her in your lap, and take a q-tip...open her beak, hold it open, and slowly swirl the q-tip and push part way down her throat, when you remove it, if she's got gapeworm, you'll see them on the q-tip. If so, easy fix! Worm her...most effective wormer IMO is Ivermec Eprinex...it's a cattle wormer, but it's the one that kills most any type of worm that chickens get. BUT - you must not eat or sell her eggs for at least a month after worming.

 

[a.felix]

With mine this would usually just be panting, but take Wynette's advice to be safe.

 

[Hypnotist_Collectr]

Quote:
Thanks for that info, Wynette. I have a girl who has been doing this on and off for awhile now... and she seems fine... we weren't sure if she was stressed & have had the hardest time trying to look down her throat... going to grab her & some Qtips now.

 

[Suziers]

Thanks everyone-

It has actually been hotter than usual the past few days, so I am going to go with that for now. Her beak is just slightly open now. I will put out an extra waterer with ice and see if she feels better tomorrow.

Suzie