my chickens seem to be panting?

[4eggsonly]

Is it normal for chickens to pant? That's what it looks like they are doing. It has been pretty hot outside. I even saw them doing it last night when I went to go check on them. I just hope that this normal.

 

[Ksane]

It's normal for them to do if they're hot. Make sure they have fresh cold water and shade.

 

[Gecko Chick]

I've seen the beak open with my hens and I was told that it was "Gape Worm". I believe that they're trying to breathe and that the Gape worm makes it hard for them. I give them some diatomaceous earth in their food and it seems to go away. My veterinarian friend gave me some de-wormer but then I read somewhere about not wanting the hens to be dependent on the medication. DE seems safer and then I don't have to squirt de-wormer stuff down their poor little throats.

 

[Ksane]

I've seen the beak open with my hens and I was told that it was "Gape Worm". I believe that they're trying to breathe and that the Gape worm makes it hard for them. I give them some diatomaceous earth in their food and it seems to go away. My veterinarian friend gave me some de-wormer but then I read somewhere about not wanting the hens to be dependent on the medication. DE seems safer and then I don't have to squirt de-wormer stuff down their poor little throats.

DE does not work for internal nor external parasites no matter what anyone tells you. Chickens will do a yawning motion lots of times to arrange their crop contents. It doesn't necessarily mean gape worm. Safeguard (fenbendazole) will cure gapes, needs re-dosed after the 1st dosing. Animals don't become 'dependent' on wormers. DE may be safe but it's also useless.

 

[Mtn Laurel]

I'm betting it's the heat as I've seen my girls pant a few times, too. Lot's of threads here on how to help them get through this horrific heat we've been having.

I've been using a fan, a reflective shade tarp over their run, a basin of water for them to walk through and plenty of cool water. That stopped the panting in mine.

 

[4eggsonly]

Thank you all for the replies. I appreciate all of the feedback.