likeastar--x Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 sorry ive saturated the forum with posts recently what are they doing when chickens open their beak really wide and stretch their neck like their yawning? (are they actually yawning? ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeastar--x Posted January 9, 2009 Author Share Posted January 9, 2009 the reason im asking is that willow was doing it loads on the way to the vets and i was worrying it was something to do with the mycoplasma and her breathing or is it just a stress thing or a heat thing? sorry i just realised theres been another post recently about this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 They often do it to move things down their gullet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madchickenlady Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 They also do it when stressed Mine have always done it any where near a vet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saronne Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 Don't they also do that when they have gapeworm? Saronne Paris Nicole Dorothy Germaine Jordan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterhas5chucks Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 My chicks do this from time to time. I think it more common in younger birds And is properly the remnant of there birth Birds usually hold their mouth open when mom is coming with the food. It could also be that it trying to crow Does she do it after food it could be that she trying to clear her crop if it full Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 HI peter lurve the name couldn't think of anything either,now stuck with it and got 4 now too:lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stewartg1 Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Mine did this when they were coming into lay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 One of my ex batts does pretty much every day and at varying intervals She has been treated for gapeworm and I have also had her checked out at the vets (camera down the throat) but they could find nothing wrong. Henrietta eats well, runs around with the others and chats away but we do worry when she does this as it looks so uncomfortable. Any other ideas as to what it could be ? Many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 My does it when she's been free ranging - she's always done it and has no other symptoms of anything wrong so I've always assumed it's to help food go down her throat Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 That's an interesting point Jo as Henrietta didn't do the "yawning" at the vets so maybe as you say its just something they do when they have been out and about. Reassuring to know that other chooks are experiencing the same. Many thanks Liz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 Don't they also do that when they have gapeworm? Yes, but it would be continuous. A bit of yawning then fine again, or explained by short term stress, isn't gapeworm. Symptoms will worsen with gapeworm, so a hen that yawns a lot, then happily potters about, probably doesn't have gapeworm. If gapeworm is suspected the hen should be treated (eg.Flubenvet) ASAP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ciarachicken Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 This has been really helpful - thank you. I was so worried my ex-bat girls had gape worm this weekend as they were yawning a lot. But they were also pottering and chatting and happy and eating too - so I wasn't sure. I will take them all to the vet tomorrow anyway just to be certain. But I gather if they did have gape worm they would be pretty miserable too? Not eating and pottering around happily chatting like they were today? They are all pretty skinny - but that is cos they have only been free from their cages for 10 days now. I am so in love with them by the way. Never knew keeping hens would be so wonderful. Any other advice on what I should tell my vet would be great. He is not really a chicken fan, and I don't think he gets the whole ex-battery thing either, so would appreciate any guidance to give him when he checks them out tomorrow. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 http://www.rcvs.org.uk/ try here when the site is workimg again, seems to not be right now. Find a vet ADVANCE options. use poutry tick box you may be surprised and find a good vet that "knows" chickens nearer than you think. Be nice for you if you need one for something you are really worried about! they can all do the treating just better if they know what to look for. Well that's what I reckon. hope your girls are fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 If they have only been out of the battery system for 10 days, they are very unlikely to have gapeworm. The mode of spread usually involves the eating of earthworms, slugs etc, which act as intermediate hosts for the egg cells of the gapeworm. Battery hens won't have encountered these yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 If they have only been out of the battery system for 10 days, they are very unlikely to have gapeworm. The mode of spread usually involves the eating of earthworms, slugs etc, which act as intermediate hosts for the egg cells of the gapeworm. Battery hens won't have encountered these yet. well spotted 10 days out.! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
