Just another 'GAPEWORM?' thread....

[SulkyBantam]

So, one of my hens is making gapeworm-like neck movements; I'd like advice or experience!

Things To Know:

• She's always been a sickly runt
• She'd otherwise healthy
• No crackly breathing
• Occasionally holds her mouth slightly open when breathing
• No other hens with symptoms
• I treat them monthly for worms

Questions:

• is this gapeworm?
• where would it have come from?
• How to treat?

Thanks a lot.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Question: You treat monthly for worms? What is your treatment?

How long has she been mouth breathing? *Usually* they'll frequently shake their head with gapeworm.

Mouth breathing can occur if they are stressed, trying to lay, overheated, or a respiratory infection as well.

 

[SulkyBantam]

Question: You treat monthly for worms? What is your treatment?

How long has she been mouth breathing? *Usually* they'll frequently shake their head with gapeworm.

Mouth breathing can occur if they are stressed, trying to lay, overheated, or a respiratory infection as well.

Yeah, I know bout mouth breathing with stress.

I use Verm-X.

I havent seen a lot of shaking-heads.

 

[casportpony]

Verm-X.

What's the active ingredient?

Probably now gapeworm, could be respiratory, or maybe even Marek's. Can you get fenbendazole in Ireland?

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Yeah, I know bout mouth breathing with stress.

I use Verm-X.

I havent seen a lot of shaking-heads.

I looked up the VermX and it seems to me it's used to support gut health. I didn't see any claims for deworming.

https://verm-x.com/products/verm-x-original-pellets-for-poultry-ducks-and-fowl
https://verm-x.com/products/verm-x-original-liquid-for-game-birds

Based on your description, I can't say at all what the issue is. If it is gapeworm however, you would want a chemical dewormer known to target gapeworm. Safe-guard is one of those, but I'm not sure if it is available in Ireland?

How long have you been noticing these symptoms? Is there anything else you can think of to add? How old is the bird?

 

[SulkyBantam]

She's about 8 months , I only noticed a day or so ago

 

[casportpony]

https://www.farmstable.com/panacur-guard-225ml.html

For gapeworms, give 0.14 ml per pound of body weight for 5 consecutive days.

For capillary worms, give 0.23 ml per pound of body weight for 5 consecutive days.

 

[SulkyBantam]

https://www.farmstable.com/panacur-guard-225ml.html
View attachment 2478328

Thanks!

But its for horses

 

[humblehillsfarm]

She's about 8 months , I only noticed a day or so ago

With symptoms only being noticed within a day or two, I am inclined to suggest to wait and observe. She could just have some crop issues. Have you had high humidity? Cold weather? It's easy to jump to the worst conclusion any time a bird does something different. Most of the time, it turns out to be nothing to worry about.

Thanks!

But its for horses

This can be used to dose chickens, but I'm not sure of the dosage. There's no "official" chicken-specific dewormer.

 

[casportpony]

Thanks!

But its for horses

Doesn't matter, it can be used on all species (dogs, cats, goats, chickens, ducks, rabbits, cows, pigs, reptiles, etc.).