mouth open

[abellchicken]

I have a hen who walks around with her mouth open. Other than that she seems fine. She eats and drinks and scratches. She does not seem to be panting. Is she ok? thanks for any help.

 

[RM44]

Where do you live? I live Georgia, just north of Atlanta. It was between 85 and 90 here today and all of my chickens had their mouths gaping open. It got hot fast and they weren't used to it.

When my chickens first gaped open like that I was worried they had gapeworms. I inspected their throats and mouths and no sign of the worms. I later came to realize it was just the heat. I suspect that's what yours is going through right now. It's pretty easy to check for gapeworms. Grab the chicken, pry her mouth open and look down here throat. The article I read says if its gapeworms you'll see them in the throat.

 

[abellchicken]

If it is gapeworm what do you do? I live in Virginia and it has been in the high 80's today.
I guess I now have 2 out of nine like that. Thank you maybe she is just hot.

 

[RM44]

If it is gapeworm there are treatments. I have no experience at it, and don't remember the treatments, but there's plenty of info on the 'net. I bet it's the heat though. That same thing is going on with my 11 hens today. And the first time it happened it had only risen into the high 70s and they were panting. Any time it gets hot fast that seems to catch them by surprise.

 

[abellchicken]

Thank you.

 

[chickenjones]

Hi,
my chickens seem to be doing the same thing. Its been warm this week and I have noticed my pullets and adults doing this. Will they get used to it or do we have a problem? We are in Texas so its not getting any cooler anytime soon. Our roos don't seem to be doing it. We have a TON of shade. We basically live in the woods so it always seems about 10 degrees cooler. Although it has been warm I would not say its hot. Any thoughts?