4 m/o Ameraucana pullet having difficulty drinking water, underweight

[cluckbealady]

Hello there. I have a very dear, sweet 4 mo. old Ameraucana pullet who has been having an increasingly difficult time drinking/keeping water down. Over the past week or so I have noticed her drinking plenty of water, but right after she attempts to gulp it down she keeps her beak wiiiide open and looks as if she's gasping for air. If she manages to keep it down at all, I've noticed within the last few days that it sometimes comes up as clear (no smell) slime water. She is an outcast of the tribe and tends to huddle next to me anytime I come in the run. She has a healthy appetite, but is on the thin side with a pointy keen bone. I've checked her crop and it "seems" normal to me. I can feel bits of feed in there and it's not hard or too bubbly. I'm one step away from taking her to the vet, as she sometimes just closes her eyes and huddles her head into her shoulders during the day. Any input is appreciated asap!

 

[Percheron chick]

I have no clue why she can't drink normally but I would be fermenting her feed to get more water in her. With horses, if you change the height of the waterer, you sometimes fix drinking issues. You could try nipple waterers or raise the fount 4 inches.

 

[cluckbealady]

I have no clue why she can't drink normally but I would be fermenting her feed to get more water in her. With horses, if you change the height of the waterer, you sometimes fix drinking issues. You could try nipple waterers or raise the fount 4 inches.

 

[cluckbealady]

Thanks! I've been meaning to get my nipple watered set up.