Can giving chicken too much water cause it to die

[BigBlueHen53]

Not about tube feeding per se, but shows how to syringe:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...dications-to-all-poultry-and-waterfowl.73335/

That's the one! Thanks, @aart. Mind if I copy so I can share it without having to continually call on you?

 

[aart]

That's the one! Thanks, @aart. Mind if I copy so I can share it without having to continually call on you?

It's an article, available to anyone.

 

[topochico225]

Here's the image:

 

[BigBlueHen53]

It's an article, available to anyone.

Cool, thanks.

 

[Lizzy733]

Here's the image:
View attachment 2860771

Yup, downloading this image for when I need to explain this.

If this was an adult hen, their crops can typically hold around 100 ml. - I generally stick to 60ml if tube-feeding.

Aspiration is a concern, but if you had, your hen would have been gaping afterward, like they're panting. This is why it is generally recommended to 'aim for the side' of the throat when dosing or tube feeding, but going by the pic above is best. Generally, a 1 ml syringe is long enough to get well clear of their trachea. (I'd recommend a second person to hold so you have full head control and can get the syringe where it needs to go)

In my experience, chickens tend to regurgitate if they die with convulsions, so emptying of the crop is not uncommon for this kind of death.

It's more likely the disease was caught too late and she was beyond saving. I've been there and it's not fun, but I don't believe you've done anything wrong here. Chickens are 'very' good at hiding illness and can literally be dying, but not exhibit any outward signs that would be detectable without close observation.