lesleysprite Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 Hi, just went out to check my hens as I was rushing this morning and didn't look at them. Not sure how to describe this, one of my hens is stretching her neck up and doing something that seems to be a cross between a sneeze and a hiccup, emitting a loud noise (sounded like a short alarm call from a distance). She looks kind of uncomfortable but not subdued at all, couldn't catch her, she was pecking around a bit but haven't watched her long enough to see whether she is actually eating or drinking. No runny beak or eyes. Going back out to look at her now, will return with any more notes. Any ideas? thanks Lesley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lesleysprite Posted October 18, 2010 Author Share Posted October 18, 2010 Seems to have been a false alarm, she seems fine now, running across the field when I opened the kitchen door. She looked really quite uncomfortable before, do chickens get hiccups? Or may be she had something stuck in her throat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Powerlady Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 Could it be something like Gapeworm maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo1962 Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 Sounds like gape worm! not sure which wormer is best, maybe just a general purpose one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve the Gas Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 Could be GW = Flub, or, wait for it, - got a large frog in her throat. I'll get me coat.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Powerlady Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 Could be GW = Flub, or, wait for it, - got a large frog in her throat. I'll get me coat.... Yes get your coat.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lesleysprite Posted October 18, 2010 Author Share Posted October 18, 2010 Thanks, could be gape worm -I don't use preventative anthelmintics I just give them verm-X, obsessively pick the poo out their pasture and, in theory, do FECs (but am in the process of buying slides so haven't started that yet), plus just keep a close eye on them so I can worm them if they need it. I know the people who kept chickens on the land before me didn't pick up the poo and probably didn't worm, and my birds are free range so wouldn't be surprising. Anyone know what wormer I should use? If she has gape worm am I likely to see these symptoms again, or should I just treat her to be sure? Thanks a lot for the advice it's very much appreciated. Lesley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lesleysprite Posted October 18, 2010 Author Share Posted October 18, 2010 Oh, I wasn't paying attention, you said flub. Do I need to get it from a vet? If so will it need to be a vet used to dealing with chickens, will I need to taker her in to the vet or can I just order it like cat wormer? Thanks Lesley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted October 18, 2010 Share Posted October 18, 2010 You can buy Flubenvet online. Gapeworm is not actually that common. If you haven't wormed your birds yet though it would be worth worming them any way. The dose for Gape is different to the standard worming dose - strictly speaking a vet should advise you of this (as I know the rules, I can't tell you what it is. I am sure someone will let you know ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted October 19, 2010 Share Posted October 19, 2010 The dosage for gape worm is double the normal dosage, fed over 7 days. Under license of a vet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
