Possible Gapeworm

[Alysharp]

Hey! Newbie here. I am pretty sure my girls all have Gapeworm. Not confident obviously, because I’m very new, but lots of open mouths and a gagging motion. I don’t hear them gag or cough or anything- just a strange neck crane and mouth open thing. Otherwise they are acting totally fine.
Can someone just tell me exactly what to buy and how to use it? I cannot find anything at my local feed stores. Even amazon is disappointing. I’m also terrified of giving them a medicine that will be dangerous to us when we eat their eggs. (They aren’t laying quite yet as they are just now 16 weeks, but how do I know for sure that the eggs are safe when they come out)!
Hellllppp!! I gave them yogurt with cayenne and garlic today as I read somewhere that it can be a natural remedy for gape- is that true? If so- how soon should I see results?

 

[Eggcessive]

Those things will not cure gapeworm. Gapeworm is rare, and you could be seeing something else, such as adjusting a crop, gaping due to hot weather, or a respiratory issue. Gapeworm is treated with SafeGuard Liquid Goat Wormer 1/4 ml per pound given orally for 5 consecutive days to each chicken. Chickens with gapeworm usually cannot eat or drink, due to the labored breathing, and gasping for air. A fecal float done on some droppings taken to your vet can rule out gapeworm.

What do your chickens eat? Do they have poultry granite grit in a container to take if they need it, to help their gizzard grind up food? A short video of what you are seeing, uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo, and a link posted here could be helpful.

 

[Alysharp]

Those things will not cure gapeworm. Gapeworm is rare, and you could be seeing something else, such as adjusting a crop, gaping due to hot weather, or a respiratory issue. Gapeworm is treated with SafeGuard Liquid Goat Wormer 1/4 ml per pound given orally for 5 consecutive days to each chicken. Chickens with gapeworm usually cannot eat or drink, due to the labored breathing, and gasping for air. A fecal float done on some droppings taken to your vet can rule out gapeworm.

What do your chickens eat? Do they have poultry granite grit in a container to take if they need it, to help their gizzard grind up food? A short video of what you are seeing, uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo, and a link posted here could be helpful.

You are so helpful! I’ll post a video tomorrow. I got a short one today but it doesn’t give the full effect! I don’t have grit to my knowledge! I’ll look into that!!! Thank you thank you

 

[Eggcessive]

Most feed stores sells grit in the poultry aisle. Sometimes they can get small rocks or grit in the soil, but it doesn’t hurt to make it available to prevent crop problems.

 

[Alysharp]

Here’s a video of today. They aren’t quite gaping like they did yesterday- but I’d still love someone to take a look!

 

[Eggcessive]

It looks like they are panting and hot. They will sometimes hold their wings out from the body as well. My hens like to step into wide pig pans of water about half full in the shade to cool their feet.

 

[Alysharp]

Wow. I am so thankful you told me about grit! They ate it like it was mealworms! And all of them stopped doing the strange neck stretch. They must have been struggling to pass food scraps all this time and I didn’t know any better !! I hope they don’t have any damage from my ignorance. They do have a decent run where I’m sure they’re able to find SOME natural rock and grit, but they went crazy over it! I feel so bad! But thank you! I think you solved the mystery!!!

 

[Eggcessive]

Glad they are doing better.

 

[Alysharp]

Okay well, this one is doing the neck stretch thing this morning. Thoughts?