Can a chicken be overly hydrated?

[Indigosands]

My hens have normal poop, and then every few they will poop straight water. Clear, nothing in it but water. I have observed many of them gulping and gulping at the waterer and it IS extremely hot outside. Simultaneously, one little hen has started plucking feathers. Hers, and anyone else's she can reach. I'm skeptical about using electrolytes or salt in the water since I'm pretty new to chickens. Would you use them? I have some on-hand.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Don't give them salt in the water.

Chicken feed usually has something like 0.5% to maybe MAX 1% salt in it. They can easily overconsume salt.

Feather picking can be a need for protein, boredom, etc.

What are you feeding them- (no need to answer)- if you are feeding a lot of corn you might want to stop that and use only the commercial feed for awhile. Layer feed is usually 16% protein. You can switch to flock raiser (20%) for awhile.

Yes in the heat they can drink lots and poo some water BUT it can also be a sign of worms. So if it is just temporary with the weather, then no biggie.

I personally wouldn't bother with the electrolytes right now...just increase the protein of the feed if needed. This is handy to do because they eat less feed in summer, but are still producing those protein-rich eggs.

http://www.backyardpoultrymag.com/issues/1/1-5/Lisa_Jansen_Mathews.html

You can apply pinless peepers to the one doing the picking as a last resort.

 

[Indigosands]

Thank you, I upped their feed to supergrower (22% protein) a few weeks back because I had an older hen with taste for feathers. I have not wormed my girls yet, I have some at 19weeks and the rest at 9 wks. I was going to wait until cool weather but I supposed now is a good a time as any if there's a chance they could have them. Thanks also for the info on the peepers, I love this site. We did buy those for the older pecking hen and they have worked well for her. Unfortunately, DH and I tried to put them on the little one (9 weeks) and the pins fill her nasal passages so we couldn't leave them on. I can't seem to find smaller ones that are temporary clip in.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Thank you, I upped their feed to supergrower (22% protein) a few weeks back because I had an older hen with taste for feathers. I have not wormed my girls yet, I have some at 19weeks and the rest at 9 wks. I was going to wait until cool weather but I supposed now is a good a time as any if there's a chance they could have them. Thanks also for the info on the peepers, I love this site. We did buy those for the older pecking hen and they have worked well for her. Unfortunately, DH and I tried to put them on the little one (9 weeks) and the pins fill her nasal passages so we couldn't leave them on. I can't seem to find smaller ones that are temporary clip in.

Some vets will do a fecal test for worms for a small fee (false negatives are possible). You might want to worm them when it gets a little cooler if they are stressed out by the heat. I am doing the same thing right now...wanted to worm them but they are so stressed out by this 90-100 degree heat that I don't want them to suffer more with the wormer.

Under 18 weeks of age I have read on byc, it is best not to worm prophylactically as they are still developing their internal organs. Worming is very hard on hens.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/537095/chicken-with-very-watery-poo
This thread might be of some use to you.

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/973/feather-loss-in-chickens
on feather loss

 

[Indigosands]

Sounds like for now my girls are probably fine, no weight loss or feather loss other than the picking which is most likely just her being naughty. I wasn't aware of the age thing with worming, knowing that now I will wait longer. Thank you again for all your help and the great links! That makes me feel better that all the water they are pooping out is typical and not causing harm.