I've been trying to track down information all day. The local feed stores don't have a wormer that will address gapeworm. A clinic at Michigan State University would be happy to examine the chicken, but that's a two hour drive at least! They also mentioned that if it is gapeworm, then their run is probably infected and they should be off of it for five years!

Someone suggested feeding the chicken tobacco. That sounds like a folk remedy to me, and I suspect that tobacco has a toxic level for hens like it does for others.

I'm really hoping I'll get home from work and the hen will be fine and I'll never know why she was doing the mouth thing this morning!

--Johanna

Click on this link to my site, and scroll down to 'Worming & Dusting' to read about Gapeworm, it's symptoms and treatment:

http://jackshenhouse.com/VSChickHealth.htm

Gape is pretty distinctive: birds stretch out their necks and open their mouths as if they have something in their throat (they do, the worms) over and over again. Sometimes they shake their heads as well. Gapeworms are basically roundworms that prefer the trachea area to infest. Most feed stores carry horse paste wormer, which is what I use to treat.

Tobacco is on the 'Toxic To Birds' list, here:

http://www.plannedparrothood.com/plants.html

I wouldn't use it. Likely there is a specific amount you can feed to kill the worms and not the host, but if the bird is already weakened by the parasite, that's taking a chance--and I have no idea how much tobacco might be 'safe', if any. If the bird is already infested, you need to go with the sure-fire cure right away.

Velvet ~:>

Well, I appear to have suffered from a moment of hysteria. The hen is fine, no more "yawning"!

Phew!

--Johanna

SO far this is the best soap opera episode I have read on this forum yet. Thanks!

Critterkeeper, I just posted another one!