Panting or Gapeworm?

[junecsea]

It's been very hot out and I've noticed my PR hen has her mouth open almost constantly.

I have provided shade, extra water, cool treats etc, but she still seems to be panting. I'm starting to worry that it's not just the heat, as none of my other chickens are showing a similar reaction (they're obviously hot -- clustered in the shade, etc. -- but not panting).

However, she seems to be in good health otherwise. She's not losing weight, she's eating the treats, she still seems lively and she hasn't been gasping or coughing that I can see.

Someone in the coop does have messy poop, but there's no obvious worm sign that I can see.

She's about 12 weeks. Any advice on what to do? I'm planning to worm the whole flock soon (most of the rest are JUST 6 weeks), should I speed up that timeline? Or is it likely heat related (it's been in the high 80s/90s)?

 

[RebeccaRN]

I put acv in their water and I put up a misting hose around part of their run. It has really helped with the beak breathing I was seeing. I live in Oklahoma with high heat and high humidity so I was really worried. The mister is really doing the trick it seems

 

[dawg53]

It's the heat, not gapeworms. Put a box fan in the pen to move the air, it helps.
I worm my birds starting at 6 weeks. Use Valbazen, 1/4ml given orally to each bird. Repeat again in 10 days.