Chickens gaping occasionally

[Meranaldar]

Hello, I'm just wondering if this is something to be concerned about or not.
I have 4 young chickens (20-25 weeks old, none have started laying yet), and they occasionally gape their mouths and shake their heads, like I've read happens with gapeworms. This has been happening for quite some time.
I gave them some ivermectin a couple of months ago, though I've read conflicting information on whether that works for gapeworms or not. I also gave them some Avitrol Plus tablets 2 weeks ago today, and it doesn't seem to have made any difference.

However, they don't do it a lot, just occasionally I'll see one do it half a dozen times or so. This makes me a bit doubtful whether it's gapeworms, especially since it's apparently not very common. I haven't seen any sneezing, no problems with droppings, or anything else that stand out as health problems to me.
I caught this video the other day, sorry for the poor quality, wasn't in a good position from the sun, but didn't want to try moving closer in case she moved away.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/NR3SSDgR7B85g72i8
Sometimes they do it a bit more consistently for a few minutes, though not on every breath, sometimes like in the above video.

 

[Vickischics]

Hello, I'm just wondering if this is something to be concerned about or not.
I have 4 young chickens (20-25 weeks old, none have started laying yet), and they occasionally gape their mouths and shake their heads, like I've read happens with gapeworms. This has been happening for quite some time.
I gave them some ivermectin a couple of months ago, though I've read conflicting information on whether that works for gapeworms or not. I also gave them some Avitrol Plus tablets 2 weeks ago today, and it doesn't seem to have made any difference.

However, they don't do it a lot, just occasionally I'll see one do it half a dozen times or so. This makes me a bit doubtful whether it's gapeworms, especially since it's apparently not very common. I haven't seen any sneezing, no problems with droppings, or anything else that stand out as health problems to me.
I caught this video the other day, sorry for the poor quality, wasn't in a good position from the sun, but didn't want to try moving closer in case she moved away.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/NR3SSDgR7B85g72i8
Sometimes they do it a bit more consistently for a few minutes, though not on every breath, sometimes like in the above video.

Please post a picture of the poop. It may appear normal to you, but with others, we may "see" something you might be missing.
Is it making a click noise when its opening its mouth? Describe any noise its making when it does the open mouth thing.
Also check the crop in the morning. It should feel and be flat/empty. Then feed your chicken and check the crop again. It should feel full and soft. Not mushy or hard. Smell the breath when your touching the crop. Describe the odor from it's mouth.
Also, Look into its mouth. Look for white patches esp on the roof of the mouth and the back of the mouth.
Post pictures if you can. Edit your photos to enhance the photo quality.

 

[Meranaldar]

I've heard no noise while they do it.
I haven't checked the crop in the mornings, though at night after they've gone to roost it feels full and soft, and I wouldn't describe it as mushy. Would it be just as good to check in the morning before they get up, and at night after going to roost? They don't like to be held, so that's normally the only time I try. Trying to pick them up when not on the roost is rather stressful, for them and me (they're friendly and always around me, as long as I don't try to touch them).

I've read it can be a bit easier once they're ready to start laying. I certainly hope so.

Anyway, looking for white patches in the mouth is for canker? I'll try to look at the roof, that's not something I've tried seeing before, but haven't seen anything in the lower portions.

 

[Shezadandy]

I've heard no noise while they do it.
I haven't checked the crop in the mornings, though at night after they've gone to roost it feels full and soft, and I wouldn't describe it as mushy. Would it be just as good to check in the morning before they get up, and at night after going to roost? They don't like to be held, so that's normally the only time I try. Trying to pick them up when not on the roost is rather stressful, for them and me (they're friendly and always around me, as long as I don't try to touch them).

I've read it can be a bit easier once they're ready to start laying. I certainly hope so.

Anyway, looking for white patches in the mouth is for canker? I'll try to look at the roof, that's not something I've tried seeing before, but haven't seen anything in the lower portions.

It looks more like the standard crop adjustment- the yawn and stretch is a way they shift things around in their crop. The head scratching - I would check for any external parasites like mites. Look around the head, around the base of the tail and in the tail- and around the vent. Ideally you shouldn't see anything moving around.

 

[Meranaldar]

It looks more like the standard crop adjustment- the yawn and stretch is a way they shift things around in their crop. The head scratching - I would check for any external parasites like mites. Look around the head, around the base of the tail and in the tail- and around the vent. Ideally you shouldn't see anything moving around.

I have been wondering about that. Internet searches haven't been any help with that question, all it does it throw gapeworm back and nothing else.

They had lice when I first got them (treated with Pestene powder, and as mentioned above they got some ivermectin too at a later date), but haven't seen a sign of anything since. They do scratch their head with their feet a bit, and under their wings with their beak. Is some of that normal? (another question I've had trouble answering with Internet searches) It's not as much as when they had an obvious lice problem, and I haven't able to see anything else.

 

[Vickischics]

You could try treating them again for mites. I personally use Permethrin spray as this works well. You can purchase it at TS in a concentrated liquid for mixing or in a ready to spray bottle. I also use this when the coop gets cleaned out monthly.

 

[Meranaldar]

Please post a picture of the poop. It may appear normal to you, but with others, we may "see" something you might be missing.

Taken in the morning from under where they roost.