White worm in roosters mouth?

[pibb]

I thought I dropped a tack and the rooster grabbed it so I grabbed him and tried to pry his mouth open to get it back and seen what looks like a white worm in the back of his throat. It was getting dark and hard to see but what could that be? I didn't drop the tack apparently so it was not that.

 

[sourland]

I believe that gapeworms are pink. Do an on site search on canker and see if it looks like that is what he is dealing with.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Are you sure it wasn't his tongue? Sorry had to ask

 

[Eggcessive]

If you cannot solve the mystery, you could get a fecal float at a local vet to check for worm larvae (call ahead to make sure they will look at some fresh droppings.) My vet does not see chickens, but is willing to do a fecal for me. I usually combine it with a dog checkup or something similar.

 

[007Sean]

I believe that gapeworms are pink. Do an on site search on canker and see if it looks like that is what he is dealing with.

@sourland is correct, gapeworms look like red threads.

 

[aart]

This is a pea fowl...but chickens look very similar.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I thought I dropped a tack and the rooster grabbed it so I grabbed him and tried to pry his mouth open to get it back and seen what looks like a white worm in the back of his throat. It was getting dark and hard to see but what could that be? I didn't drop the tack apparently so it was not that.

Can you take inside his beak in the morning for mucous, lesions or plaques?

 

[Cragg Klefor]

Photos would really help here. Can you try take one? Or a few? It's all guesswork otherwise.

 

[Keeperofmunchkins]

It may even have been just a worm he pulled from the ground that hadn't been swallowed properly. My chickens are always eating tiny white worms and larvae in the soil.

 

[Eggcessive]

Roundworms and hairworms (capillary worms) can sometimes be found in the esophagus or crop, though usually found in the intestines. A fecal float would show a worm egg infestation. Or you can treat with Valbazen 0.08 ml per pound (0.4ml) for a 5 pound chicken once, and again in 10 days. Or treat with SafeGuard 0.23 ml for 5 straight days.