jerseybean Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 Evening all! I got my chickens at 18 weeks old, after a little while they started to gape, one also had a serious neck twitch. I thought they had gapeworm, wormed them with flubenvet (although i didnt know i needed double the dose for gapeworm). That was a couple of weeks ago, at odd times (usually when they are at our kitchen door looking lovingly at what we are eating) they continue to gape, with a slight forward motion as tho they are going to throw up. They eat, lay (double yolkers sometimes), combs are good colour, they do not gasp or shake their heads, they seem happy. They free range in our garden every afternoon. The people who lived here before had chickens (last chicken here 2 years ago). I am now reading that sometimes chickens sometimes gape to rearrange the food in their crop. As long as they seem happy and are eating/drinking/behaving normally am i safe to leave them be? Everytime one gapes my 4 year old authoratively tells me 'gapeworm' and although i know hes no expert it I am worried to let this carry on if I should be doing something to 'cure' them? Any help from wise chicken keepers gratefully received! jo x 6 x bovan goldline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 Hmm it does sound a little unusual as in all the time ive had my chooks i havent seen them do this It may be best to give them the double dose of Flubenvet and see how they are in a couple of days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 Welcome to the forum, JerseyBean . Sorry you're having a worrying time with your girls . Can't really offer advice but have to say I occasionally notice one of mine gaping - it never happens for long though. Hopefully someone will be along with some proper advice soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 They do a strange sort of open mouthed neck movement to shift food down the gullet. It can look a bit alarming sometimes. If they have gapeworm they will be trying to cough the parasites out too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerseybean Posted September 21, 2008 Author Share Posted September 21, 2008 Thanks everyone one - Egluntine - they dont cough at all, I will keep an eye on this as yes, it does look alarming!! jo x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 mine do it now and again, nothing to worry about. If they start coughing, shaking their head and having trouble breathing, that's when you've got gapeworm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve. Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 My new chickens do this too ... my existing flock don't! Very odd! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
