Phosphorus Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 My Charlotte (Maran Cuivre) several weeks ago had me really worried. She had been out free ranging with the other girls, I put them back in their run and looked at her - she had a frothy eye and shook her head to get mucus out, long strings of fluid flew everywhere. Gaping a bit. Had to go out to take my son to Tumbletots - he goes around on his own so there I was sitting with my chicken health book. Paniced and then convinced myself that otherwise she seemed fine otherwise and that it might just be a cold - before then I had been envisaging a trip to the vets that afternoon. Got home and she was absolutely normal - no frothy eye, no gaping and no mucus That was weeks ago and she has been fine. Today she did it again - again after free ranging. Left her in run and went to check later - she was absolutely fine again. I am wondering has anyone else noticed their chook doing this? Is it she swallows a slug or something and it goes the wrong way and then - like a human her eyes water Anyway it doesn't seem to affect her for long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 Never had the mucus problem but we noticed Molly gaping two days ago and I immediately thought gapeworm . She only did it for a little while and hasn't since (that I've noticed ). Maybe your theory about something getting stuck in their throat would explain it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phosphorus Posted June 1, 2008 Author Share Posted June 1, 2008 Never had the mucus problem but we noticed Molly gaping two days ago and I immediately thought gapeworm . She only did it for a little while and hasn't since (that I've noticed ). Maybe your theory about something getting stuck in their throat would explain it . Gapeworm was my initial panic, but it didn't explain the frothy eyes so I managed to calm myself a bit It is really strange - less worried this time as I have seen her with it before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbey Road Girl Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 Yes, like ANH, I feared for the worst when I saw one of my chooks stretching its neck as for gapeworm. Turned out to be a baseless fear. They do indeed worry us, but that's what the forum is for! Hope it's just a harmless blip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 I had Maud on my knee yesterday and as she started to relax, get comfy and doze off, she started all these gaping movements and shaking her head! I was worried as she kept on doing it, over and over again. Her breathing seemed fine and when she went back to free ranging later on, she didn't do it. I can only assume that she was yawning!? I'm not exactly sure how to tell if they have gapeworm because they do make gaping movements sometimes when they've gobbled food down a bit quickly too. I assume you can tell they have it if they make these movements ALL the time? I wish someone would tell me how to tell the symptoms of gapeworm for definite as I wouldn't want to over treat them for worms. We flubenvetted them in December and March. Sorry, don't know about the frothy eye but is there something poisonous in the garden that she might be getting access to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
