Video of gaping chicken, anyone with suggestions?

Sassy13

Songster
May 10, 2020
87
127
123
Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Our 16 month old hen has been acting very lethargic and has been doing the movement with her mouth, neck, and chest that is shown in the video link above. She doesn't appear to be coughing or sneezing and crop feels normal. We are wondering if anyone has seen this before or has some suggestions as we are having a hard time finding a vet in our area who cares for chickens. We thought initially it might be gaping from gapeworm and gave her a pea size does of Panacur (fenbendazole) paste 10% 4 days ago. But maybe it is something respiratory? We have 4 other hens and they show none of her symptoms. She is separated from the rest of the flock for now.
 
She looks to be adjusting her crop, which done repeatedly may be her having symptoms of impacted crop or something stuck.Does she get granite poultry grit to help with digestion? She needs plenty of water, to get no whole grains. I would probably withhold any food until morning. Then check her crop again to see if it has emptied. If not, get some coconut oil and chill some. Cut into small pieces to peck and give her up to 2 tsp twice daily. She will need some food during any crop treatment, and runny watery chicken feed and a little egg are okay. Here is @azygous ‘s good article on crop problems:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

To treat for gapeworms you should give fenbendazole by her weight. 0.25 ml (1/4tsp) per pound for 5 consecutive days is the treatment. I think she may just have a crop disorder, but some worms can cause crop problems.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom