Rooster Doing Something with Tongue?

[Gemefraiche]

My rooster, Roosevelt, does this thing where he opens his beak and wiggles his tongue up and down. He is the only chicken I have seen do that, but I don't know what he's doing. Is it something only roosters do? Is it common?

 

[Bridebeliever]

How old is he? How long has he been doing it?

 

[junebuggena]

Kind of like a dog panting? My birds do that on warmer than average days. But it could also be a sign of stress or illness.

 

[Gemefraiche]

He's about three months. He's been doing it maybe for a month or two? It's not like how a dog pants, but a slow up and down motion.

 

[lilmillefleur]

dont roosters do it when they crow or am i making that up?

 

[Bridebeliever]

That's why I was asking how old he is. Sounds like practice crowing...with no sound.

 

[showinbirds]

If it looks kinda like he is yawning, he has hook worms. Chickens don't yawn.

 

[drumstick diva]

not hookworms He may have gapeworms. You can check by gently swabbing the back of his throat with a q-tip. If it comes out tinged with red or sometimes even the little worms you will have confirmed that. Please check out "gapeworms" in the search box.

He may be trying to crow but, it won't hurt to check his throat with a q-tip

 

[BantamLover21]

not hookworms He may have gapeworms. You can check by gently swabbing the back of his throat with a q-tip. If it comes out tinged with red or sometimes even the little worms you will have confirmed that. Please check out "gapeworms" in the search box.

He may be trying to crow but, it won't hurt to check his throat with a q-tip

x2

 

[Gemefraiche]

I haven't swabbed his throat yet. To be honest, I'm a bit scared that I might hurt him. I also noticed two of my pullets doing the same thing with their tongues. Can you give me any advice about how to swab their throats?