Gapeworm treatment

[Spambergg]

I was about to treat my small
Flock for gapeworm (shaking heads, one will periodically stretch her neck out and gasp, all act normal otherwise) but I read on a poultry vet website not to treat if molting. 4 out of 5 of min are molting. Can anyone speak to that? I feel like if she's gasping periodically she needs to be treated asap.
*picture of the chicken for attention

Thanks!

 

[nuthatched]

Are you sure they aren't adjusting their crops?

 

[aart]

Might want to correct either your thread title or your post....
...is it "tapeworm" or "gapeworm"?

 

[Spambergg]

Are you sure they aren't adjusting their crops?

She could've been. Shaking their heads periodically and they look like heck. I have treated for mites once four months ago once again last week even though I haven't actually seen any on the birds. I just can't figure out why they keep periodically, shaking their heads and why they all have the feathers picked out of their necks.

 

[Spambergg]

Might want to correct either your thread title or your post....
...is it "tapeworm" or "gapeworm"?

Autocorrect for the win...all fixed. Thanks

 

[aart]

Have you looked down their throats?
Gapeworms are pretty rare.
Where in this world are you located?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I was about to treat my small
Flock for gapeworm (shaking heads, one will periodically stretch her neck out and gasp, all act normal otherwise) but I read on a poultry vet website not to treat if molting. 4 out of 5 of min are molting. Can anyone speak to that? I feel like if she's gasping periodically she needs to be treated asap.
*picture of the chicken for attention

Thanks!

She could've been. Shaking their heads periodically and they look like heck. I have treated for mites once four months ago once again last week even though I haven't actually seen any on the birds. I just can't figure out why they keep periodically, shaking their heads and why they all have the feathers picked out of their necks.

Do you have video of the hen shaking her head? Upload video to YOUTUBE and provide a link.

Same hen as in the thread a while back (linked below)? Does she still look like that? Looks like feather picking to me. Do you see new feathers coming in?

Shaking of the head, have you check to make sure her crop is emptying overnight, looked in the ears for any signs of infection. Checked her well for lice/mites, go out at night and look for mites in the roosting area and on the birds.

You've read to not treat (for worms?) during molting; the information wasn't more specific than that? That's a blanket statement, do you have a link to what you read?

Now, there is a dewormer that should not be used when birds are molting. That would be Fenbendazole (Safeguard/Panacur), the drug is known to affect feather quality (stunted growth) in molting birds.
However, you can use Valbazen (Albendazole) to deworm birds during molt if it's deemed necessary.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/shakes-head-and-missing-feathers.1643130/

 

[Spambergg]

Do you have video of the hen shaking her head? Upload video to YOUTUBE and provide a link.

Same hen as in the thread a while back (linked below)? Does she still look like that? Looks like feather picking to me. Do you see new feathers coming in?

Shaking of the head, have you check to make sure her crop is emptying overnight, looked in the ears for any signs of infection. Checked her well for lice/mites, go out at night and look for mites in the roosting area and on the birds.

You've read to not treat (for worms?) during molting; the information wasn't more specific than that? That's a blanket statement, do you have a link to what you read?

Now, there is a dewormer that should not be used when birds are molting. That would be Fenbendazole (Safeguard/Panacur), the drug is known to affect feather quality (stunted growth) in molting birds.
However, you can use Valbazen (Albendazole) to deworm birds during molt if it's deemed necessary.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/shakes-head-and-missing-feathers.1643130/

I think the hen who was opening her mouth oddly was adjusting her crop. The issue is the head shake and feather picked necks. They are now mostly done molting and their necks are all a mess. They constantly have new feathers coming in where they are pecked out. I have not seen Any lice or mites. I have treated them with elector psp just in case and there has been no improvement.

I uploaded a video of it. They are all huddled underneath their coop because I was in the process of wrapping the run in plastic for the winter. You can see the subtle head shakes and their naked necks.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

They are now mostly done molting and their necks are all a mess. They constantly have new feathers coming in where they are pecked out. I have not seen Any lice or mites. I have treated them with elector psp just in case and there has been no improvement.

What do you feed, including treats?
Do they get out to roam about or are they confined to that smaller area?

Pecking out feathers can be a bad habit. You can try offering a higher protein feed or provide extra protein several times a week to see if that makes a difference.

Chickens shake their heads. Could be a nervous tick they have, not sure.