Janina Butterworth Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 So the questions come thick and fast. Petunia has been doing an odd sort of gulping action. She stretches out her neck and opens her beak almost as if she is choking on something, or trying to swallow something large. Is this likely to be a sign of something to worry about? Only had her half a day and we are worried already about her health. Might she have something stuck in her throat or just a nervous habit? Thanks, Janina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THF Nick Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 Our girls seem to do that from time to time and appear to be healthy and happy. I've not worried about - hopefully someone who knows what they are doing will confirm? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hippy chick Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 Mine always seem to drink like that. I used to worry that it was gape worm. So I got the vets out, and he says its just the peculiar way that they drink. I did worm them just in case!! (I think he thinks I'm a bit of a chicken hypochondriac) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janina Butterworth Posted July 4, 2010 Author Share Posted July 4, 2010 Ohhh don't scare me with things like gape worm, what the goodness is that?????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted July 5, 2010 Share Posted July 5, 2010 Mine do that sometimes. I think it must be a sort of yawn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alet_chicken Posted July 5, 2010 Share Posted July 5, 2010 Ours do that sometimes too. I've read somewhere they do that if they need to rearrange things in their crops. Gapeworm is a type of worm that can infect the trachea of birds. It causes irritation, hence coughing/yawning. But if she appears well in herself apart from the yawning, then I don't think it's too likely. You could always worm them (with Flubenvet) to be sure, but I'd wait a week or so until they have settled in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happily Posted July 5, 2010 Share Posted July 5, 2010 Mine do it from time to time to and seem fine so I wouldn't worry too much x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janina Butterworth Posted July 6, 2010 Author Share Posted July 6, 2010 Thanks everyone for all your help. I'm not so worried anymore she seems fine, just something she does from time to time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 Mine do it after stuffing their faces with treats - would think it's a crop arranging thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlehenny Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 Mine do it all the time - I'm sure I've read somewhere that they don't have the swallowing mechanism that we have and the water has to run down their throat .. also they need to drink loads more than you might think. It's been so hot recently that however they are getting water it's got to be good for them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meganymoo Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 My chickens always do that, its a sign that they are hot and are trying to cool down!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
