respiratory?

[chickenmom1]

Hi everyone,
Happy Memorial Day weekend!!!! I have 22 hens and the roo has taken to really hurting one so I let her out every morn to wander the property all day. This morning she was opening and closing her mouth every few minutes. I saw another chicken doing the a couple of months ago and she stopped. Is this a response to fear or excitement or is she getting sick? Thanks,
J

 

[Imp]

That's hard to answer with so little info. Could be nothing, but keep a close eye on her in case it is the start of something.

Let's hope it is not,

Imp

 

[mamabigbird]

My hens do that too. They sort of stretch their necks out at the same time as opening and closing their beaks. I figured they were just rearranging the food and grit in their crops. They don't seem stressed and they don't do it all the time. Hopefully it's just chicken behavior.

 

[chickenmom1]

Thanks so much for the info. I think your right. They aren't really stressed and they don't do it all the time.
J