Why do chickens gate??

[Fla Flock]

Just wantin" to know??? If ya'll know....

 

[speckledhen]

Explain "gate". Don't know what you mean.

 

[Fla Flock]

Gate like a gator w/ the mouth open and the jugular, flexin' like breathin' w/ there mouth open??

 

[ReikiStar]

I think you mean "gape" and it could be because they are over-heated or have a case of "gape worms" which can be fatal if left untreated.

 

[Fla Flock]

gape worm??? not sure , but how would they get it.. an it is called gating when a gator has its mouth open an breathin'..

 

[speckledhen]

I get what you mean, never heard the term "gate" before since I don't live in alligator country.

It's called "gaping" or open mouth breathing. Can be from respiratory illness, something stuck in the windpipe, being overheated and trying to cool off (chickens can't sweat so they pant) or, in more rare cases, from gapeworm, a worm that lodges in the throat and reproduces and actually can suffocate them. Gapeworm is not as common as folks think. If it's hot in your part of Florida now, they may be panting to cool off.

 

[Fla Flock]

thank you its about 90 here makes sense

 

[EweSheep]

Mine panted a few days ago when we had the warm spells....they are fine now with cooler weather.

I put a bit of Pedialite and water in their waterers. Helps them to get thru the heat wave we had for a week. Gatorade or Powerade works well too. Be sure to dilute it.

 

[MamaMarcy]

Our 3 yr old broad breasted white turkey does this if she takes more than about 10 steps at once.

She gets winded from her massive girth.

 

[Nsampsel]

Our 3 yr old broad breasted white turkey does this if she takes more than about 10 steps at once.

She gets winded from her massive girth.

Sounds like she needs to go on a diet