silly question... yawning chickens?

[top of the hill]

ok, I have a silly question but I must know...

Do your chickens yawn?

I am pretty sure, right around dusk, and just before they head into the coop for the night, they let out a big yawn. Its either that or they are gasping for air... I chose to believe the yawn, lol.

 

[jim0526]

I wondered the same thing. Cause mine do it to. I thought they were gasping for air, but they all seem fine.

 

[loanwizard]

Maybe they are trying to make noise but are mute.

Maybe they are opening their mouths waiting for a the elusive tiny dusk chiggers to land.

Do they move their heads back and forth when they do it? Maybe they need the heimlich maneuver done.

Hard to tell about those crazy chickens....

 

[top of the hill]

Quote:
lol, glad I'm not the only one!

 

[CapricornFarm]

Could be gapeworm , do a search on that

 

[top of the hill]

Quote:

lol! well, I did teach them all the international sign for choking so i would hope they would follow protocol, they are quite good at reaching their wings to their throats!

no head movement... just an open mouth for a second.

 

[galanie]

Birds yawn as a way to sort of rearrange their crops. It's not the same as just sitting with the mouth open like gapeworm. The full blown, unmistakable yawn is a way to adjust the crop.

 

[top of the hill]

Quote:
yikes, thats scary! some of the symtoms don't match but, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to do a swab of their throats to see if there are any red worms.

Thanks galanie, I think what you suggested makes the most sense for my situation.

 

[ChookCluck]

Quote:
I agree, mine do it every night. Yawning is not unusual, and I wouldn't worry about it. I have also noticed that chickens sort of 'pant' in hot weather, but this is just to regulate their temperature, and so nothing to worry about either.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Quote:
Oh that is good to know!