Now that I read up, occasional Gaping/gasping and sneezing?

[yay-for-chickens!]

Well,

I don't know if I'm just over worried after I read peoples stories here on respiratory diseases and other illnesses but....

My 2 pullets and 1 roo that are 7 weeks old occasionally sneeze now and again but nothing that seems serious...I'm not sure if they are gaping or gasping though....

OCCASIONALLY I see them look up a little and open their mouth. I thought this might be yawning, but as I read more I am afraid they are gaping...I mean I've seen them do this now and again for the past 2-3 weeks but everyone eats plenty acts normal and poops fine.

Could this be respiratory disease or something else perhaps?

I started putting some apple cider vinegar in their water and I think I notice less sneezing and "gaping"/"gasping" the past two days although I don't see them as much on the week days.

There eyes look fine, and in the morning and during the day I don't see mucus build up or anything on their beaks so thats why I haven't been overly concerned...

Should I consider getting some VetRX - Poultry Remedy and start them on it just to be careful?

 

[Judy]

I see you did not get any replies.

I suspect they are just yawning, as chicks do, just as people do, and I suspect they are sneezing as people do, from an occasional irritant such as dust/dander from chicken coops, and litter, pollen, whatever....

You did not give many details. Seems to me that gaping as a serious symptom is related to eating worms and acquiring their parasites, so where they are living, are they on dirt, what they eat for feed and treats, etc. would be relevant. This is just casual memory from reading posts; don't take it for any more; not a problem I have encountered.

You might want to do some reading or searches in the diseases/emergencies section and let us know if you are still concerned that you might have a problem. You will get lots more responses if you give some more info about feed/housing/breeds, etc. in your query.

 

[yay-for-chickens!]

It's hard to tell...

They are on a mixed grass/dirt run.

Ironically I think my chickens are the only ones who don't like treats...I throw them bread and bits of lettuce and they peck it and go back to their feed...lol.

They are 8 weeks now, still on medicated starter feed.

In terms of gaping/gasping...Sometimes they look up and open their mouths and sometimes they do it looking forward...they don't really like grubs and worms...I've ordered some DE and i'm going to put a little in their feed to de-worm.

 

[lisahaschickens]

it's funny... I am a newbie too and I posted about this very thing a few weeks ago, as I was very concerned. Everyone seemed to think it was just yawning and normal sneezing and nothing to worry about. Unless other symptoms occur, these things are just normal. Well, it's been several weeks since then and my flock is 8 weeks now and healthy as can be and still occasionally yawn and sneeze. I watch them for other symptoms but nothign has come so far. I think it's just normal... since I posted about it, I bet I've read at least 5 other threads about the same thing. I think we all get worried when that behavior starts, especially since we've all done so much reading. Anyway, it sounds to me like you're birdies are fine unless they actually start acting unwell in other ways. Good luck to you!

 

[yay-for-chickens!]

Thanks Lisa,

I think your right, just me being paranoid....

 

[speckledhen]

When mine do that, it's because they have something caught in their throats, like a piece of feed or straw. Most of the time, it's no more than that. And just an occasional sneeze can be from dust in the bedding, coop or just the feed itself.

 

[mrsgibber]

Mine sneeze all the time cause of the dust they are kicking up in their brooder and just being in a dusty basement. They are getting to big for it now so they'll be moving out to the coop so that should help.

They also do the yawning thing once in a while and nothing ever came of it. I did read that it could be them trying to clear something from their throat and grit might help so I've started them on that.

I think like I was a week or so ago..you are just being a nervous parent.