Chickens drinking excessive water!

[prinellie]

so the past several days my chickens (18) have been draining their gallon of water in about 5 minutes. 2 gallons does not last them all day. Something has changed and I’m not sure what it is. Even in the hottest part of summer they never drank their waterers dry. Anyone have thoughts?

 

[imnukensc]

My thoughts are the chickens aren't drinking it. Something else is wrong.

 

[Helloworld]

Is it wet underneath? Sometimes bedding hides it. I check under the bedding first, and I have to place my waterers at head level because mine have been caught bathing and /or using the top to roost and spilling water on both occasions.
I am in Florida and mine have been drinking a little more as well though. Time for electrolytes? Mine drink a lot, I give a packet and it seems to help rehydrate especially when hotter and once electrolytes are replaced they slow down.

I have 7 hens and they drink a gallon a day at least. My rooster are in their individual coop and they usually drink about a 1/3 of a gallon a day. Did your chickens grow up and need a bigger waterer?

 

[prinellie]

I have checked the waterer for leaks but it is sound. The waterer is at head level on a cinder block and they are unable to bathe in it and I would know if it had been tipped over. Helloworld - what are the electrolytes for? Heat stress? They are drinking almost 3 gallons a day. And like I said before even in the terrible hot they weren’t drinking at this level. But they don’t seem sick in any way - so I guess I’ll just keep watering!

 

[SueT]

Is it a gravity type waterer with a big jar container on top? My guess is there's a tiny hole/crack in the jar and/or it is tilted a bit--either would cause a leak.

 

[Helloworld]

I have checked the waterer for leaks but it is sound. The waterer is at head level on a cinder block and they are unable to bathe in it and I would know if it had been tipped over. Helloworld - what are the electrolytes for? Heat stress? They are drinking almost 3 gallons a day. And like I said before even in the terrible hot they weren’t drinking at this level. But they don’t seem sick in any way - so I guess I’ll just keep watering!

Because if they continue drinking with excess salt from electrolytes anyway, it may be an impacted crop. If not, they would have to be getting excess electrolytes to put them into polydypsia. I am a retired nurse lol. It just comes out! Lol

Start her on some yogurt or ferment her some scratch. You can play with crop easily and maybe help her loosen it.

Jmo from my experiences.

 

[chickens really]

Are your Birds new layers?...

 

[prinellie]

Are your Birds new layers?...

No they are all at least 2 years old... a few older. They have been molting for the past couple months but are all filled out again. I am only getting half the eggs I should with 17 - but this I thought was because of the molting. This has only been going on for a couple of weeks. It's cool lately. There are a few that have yucky butts and I have started some ACV for a few days and then will give yogurt after. I'm stumped... beginning to wonder if I have a bad batch of feed. I'm so sick of all the crap they put in feed unless you are willing to pay $38 a bag for scratch and peck feed. I need a recipe I can mix myself, like we do for our cows.... no GMO's and as organic as possible...
Edit: I just realized that (some) the chickens have almost like diarrhea - very watery with bits of chunks in it. That's why the rears are dirty. But I am talking a watery mess on the floor or outside in places... what the heck is going on?? I got 5 eggs from 17 chickens tonite... they don't act sick??

 

[Kiki]

No they are all at least 2 years old... a few older. They have been molting for the past couple months but are all filled out again. I am only getting half the eggs I should with 17 - but this I thought was because of the molting. This has only been going on for a couple of weeks. It's cool lately. There are a few that have yucky butts and I have started some ACV for a few days and then will give yogurt after. I'm stumped... beginning to wonder if I have a bad batch of feed. I'm so sick of all the crap they put in feed unless you are willing to pay $38 a bag for scratch and peck feed. I need a recipe I can mix myself, like we do for our cows.... no GMO's and as organic as possible...
Edit: I just realized that (some) the chickens have almost like diarrhea - very watery with bits of chunks in it. That's why the rears are dirty. But I am talking a watery mess on the floor or outside in places... what the heck is going on?? I got 5 eggs from 17 chickens tonite... they don't act sick??

I think you need to collect some poop and have a fecal float test run by a vet asap.

 

[prinellie]

Excessive thirst and a drop in egg production can be symptoms of Mycoplasma so yes, it's good that you've noticed this. I don't know that it's possible to accurately diagnose based on symptoms alone but if a vet visit or necropsy are possible you can find out for sure what you're seeing.

Our vet is not up on chickens so I am ‘training’ them. What would a chicken vet do to check them? None have died so necropsy is not possible. I will take a fecal sample Monday to the vet. Thanks