why do they do this with their mouth?

[sydney13]

a few months ago my silkie had gape worm (or at least i think it was gape worm) and i wormed her with ivomectin. now she has started to do the gaping thing again and im wondering if this is normal behavior. she stretches her neck and gasps sort of like a silent crow. its very hot right now so could she be doing it because of the heat?

 

[LarryPQ]

Possibly. If she has damage to her trachea because of the gape worm, it stands to reason she may need to work harder to breathe when under stress. She may be too hot, or possibly have gape worm again.

 

[sydney13]

no ive noticed some of my 6 week old chicks doing it too early in the morning before it gets hot out

 

[elmo]

Careful that you don't misinterpret a chicken's normal behavior for symptoms of gapeworm. Chickens open their mouths and stretch their necks to adjust the food in their crops.

 

[Wynette]

Quote:
True.

It's very easy to check for gapeworm - I wouldn't even think of treating for it unless I knew for sure - you take a q-tip, and gently open the bird's mouth. Push the q-tip down the throat slowly TWIRLING IT, and then remove. You only need to push it down about 1/2" past the back of the throat. The gapes are thin, red, and almost 2-headed looking (Y-shaped).

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
True.

It's very easy to check for gapeworm - I wouldn't even think of treating for it unless I knew for sure - you take a q-tip, and gently open the bird's mouth. Push the q-tip down the throat slowly TWIRLING IT, and then remove. You only need to push it down about 1/2" past the back of the throat. The gapes are thin, red, and almost 2-headed looking (Y-shaped).

Great information Wynette, thanks!

 

[TsaLaGi Acres]

I just saw this thread and found it quite interesting, although we've never had this problem (thank God!!). How do the chickens get the gape worm? What are signs and treatments for it?

 

[bigspringshatchery]

My chickens do something with their mouth. I never heard of gape worm. They walk around with their mouth open and looks like they are panting. Is that normal or is it jus the heat?

 

[TheMainException]

Quote:
Since chicken's can't sweat, they pant in order to cool down. If it's very hot out, then this behavior is most likely just panting and nothing to worry about. It takes a few days to get used to the heat and they should pant less as they adjust.

 

[bigspringshatchery]

Ok didn't know if I should be worried or not