| the gapes | A fit of yawning. A disease of young poultry and other birds, attended with much gaping. It is caused by a parasitic nematode worm (Syngamus trachealis), in the windpipe, which obstructs the breathing. See Gapeworm. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| gapes | A disease of young chickens, turkeys, and other birds caused by the gapeworm, Syngamus trachea, which localises in the trachea and causes gasping and choking; infection is either direct, by ingestion of infective eggs, or indirect, by ingestion of transport hosts such as land snails, slugs, or earthworms. (05 Mar 2000) |
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