10 week old EE pullet vomiting water (I think)?

[EmmaDonovan]

Twice I've seen her open her beak and just drop out what looked like water, it's difficult to tell exactly because I saw it happen over the coop camera. I haven't seen any of the other chickens do that. She acts totally normal before and after and doesn't seem uncomfortable or distressed. Both times she was nowhere near the waterers. She is eating, drinking, moving, and sleeping fine.

Temps have been high, 110F during the day. Yesterday she did it in the early evening when it was still over 100. This time was in the morning when the temp was about 74F.

We watch the flock carefully during the day. They all pant but she opens her mouth wider than the others. Her eyes are fine, she moves energetically, she doesn't hold her wings away from her body and isn't lethargic.

They have constant access to plenty of fresh water. We refill the waterers several times a day and add ice. They also get trays of ice blocks with treats frozen in them. They have lots of shade, a fan, and a mister.

Should we be concerned about the water vomit?

 

[Fallenone05]

With it being so hot she's probably drinking excess water and fills her crop up too much. Mine have been doing that too. I'm about to buy some electrolyte mix to make sure they're getting what they need. 95F and a heat index of 105, all humidity.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Should we be concerned about the water vomit?

I also considered what the first poster has mentioned.. But never had it happen to my chickens when I used to live in the 110+ degree irrigated desert.

Chickens don't have a gag reflex.. and vomiting is never ideal for them as they may aspirate some back into their lungs. To me it's a definite indicator that further investigation is warranted..

Also.. it can be a sign of slow, blocked, impacted, or sour crop. That particular bird you may want to inspect before access to feed and water in the morning and see if the crop has emptied overnight. The fact she did it IN the morning also.. confirms need for investigation and *almost* rules out the first sentiment, at least in MY mind.

The article in the following link may be useful..

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

 

[EmmaDonovan]

Good article, thank you. Her crop seems to be emptying okay. I watched a lot of chicken TV today and didn't see her do it again but I wasn't watching every minute. We'll keep an eye on her.

I don't know if this matters but she's always been high energy. Even as a chick she never seemed to walk anywhere, she zoomed, doing figure eights around the other chicks, ever since she was a day old.

She gets along with everyone and lays down and sleeps in a big pile with the others but she's one of the few in the flock who still objects to being handled (we gently do it anyway).