Is this chicken sick? [Video link included.]

[CCourson05]

I can't tell if this is gapeworm or what?! I saw her eat sand, and then she started doing this...Is it normal? I have seen other hens do the same thing after eating the sand.

Also, please ignore the suggestions that YouTube put on the video..They are stupid and immoral. My apologies.

 

[looptloop]

I would tend to think it's related to eating the sand. Maybe working it down to the crop? Pretty bird!

 

[thebritt]

Quote:
That's what it looks like to me. I've seen my birds do that with no apparent ill effect.

 

[scbatz33]

I'm going to echo what others said, it looks like she's trying to swallow. I'd imagine sand gets stuck in the throat since it's such tiny bits so it feels weird. Do you keep water readily available for them?

 

[CCourson05]

Yeah. I offered her water, but she wouldn't drink it immediately. I checked on her, and she seems okay... I am thinking its just a way of getting small grit down... I appreciate all your replies. Thank you.