What does it mean??

[silkiechick05]

What does it mean when a chicken breathes with its mouth open, but isn't hot?

My pullet is "panting" but isn't over heated.


Any ideas??

 

[GraceAK]

Could she have a respiratory issue like pneumonia or something?

I hope she gets better. Bump.

 

[silkiechick05]

I don't know. Sometimes she "gasps" ... you know stretches her neck out with her beak open...

??

 

[ranchhand]

I hate playing this card, but more information is needed. Please look at the following link and try to help us help you and your pullet.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=3569

 

[silkiechick05]

Quote:
Yes, thank you. Here it is:

1) What type of bird , age and weight. Bantam Barred Rock, age not quite known, laid her first egg yesterday
2) What is the behavior, exactly. Will "pant" randomly for a minute or two and sometimes "gasps"
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms? I have only had her a week, this has been going on maybe two/three days??
4) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma. Yesterday, she struggled for about twelve hours to lay an egg... pretty traumatic for me, anyways
5) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation. She was stressed because of that egg... I know she wasn't hot... about 69/71 F
6) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all. Eating and drinking heartily
7) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.Normal
8) What has been the treatment you have administered so far? Nothing
9 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? Should I worm her? Or is she too young?
10) Describe the housing/bedding in use. Right now she is in the garage with a heat lamp on her (she hasn't been nice to the other chickens) and on shavings

 

[Kim_NC]

Sounds like possible gapeworm. Does she shake her head in addition to the gasping?

Here's a good video on YouTube covering treatment and symptoms. About halfway through, he slows the video down and shows the gaping/yawning very plainly.

Here's another post covering gapeworm
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=949035

 

[silkiechick05]

Quote:
Okay thank you. Since she just started laying, how old do you think she might be??

And is she too young to worm??


The other thread said to use ivermectin but the video said ivomec

Is that the same thing??

 

[JayDe]

first lay seems to be 4-7 months.

She isnt too young to worm. The wormer I have gives a different dose for chicks.

Ivomec is the brand name...I think there are several brands. According to my feed store it isnt sold for chickens (though they may be wrong) but is sold for mammals--cow/horses...so look up the dosage.

Mine are all shaking thei head and doing the yawn on occasion, so we are going to treat for gape worm.

 

[cicene mete]

I'd be a little careful about the video on YouTube. Most chicks go through a phase in which they yawn from time to time, especially as they are developing their crops. I don't know if it helps them digest, or what, but nearly every chick I've ever had has gone through this phase. None of those chicks have had gapeworm. My chickens had plenty of other things, but never that.

The chicken in this video looks much more like gapeworm to me, although the owner thinks it was something else http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKE-gN1Vnzg

Noticed the head shaking, using the feet to try to scratch at something in the ear, repeated yawning in a much older bird, etc.

As for your bird, it may be a result of the stress of passing the first egg, or a problem with passing another one. Not sure; I wish I could be more helpful.

 

[Sequin]

Have you tried removing the heat lamp? By this age, being that she is kept in the garage you shouldn't need to use the heat lamp. Try that and see if symptoms improve.