excessive drinking

[mollymoo1]

Glad to hear she is eating and drinking. I don't think you mentioned if she has a source of grit. Please let us know. (Gravel, tiny rocks, commercially sold granite grit)
Also worried if she might be consuming greater-than-healthy amounts of fibrous material like very long strands of straw/long mowed grass clippings/wood shavings.

Have you ever observed her eating anything like that?

If I were you, I would check her crop very first thing in the morning before she has had the option to eat. I'd be curious to see if the crop still felt hard in the morning. It should empty over night. If it is the same in the morning as it is in the night, you have a problem for sure.
If it's a physical blockage, providing extra grit, massaging the area,and encouraging her to consume something with a teaspoon or two of olive oil in it.
If it's a yeast infection, I've heard that vagisil anti fungal cream treatment is effective but I've never had to use it before. Good luck.

I checked her crop last night and it was full, this morning it was completely empty, she does eat grass and i have noticed she is eating more grit than she usually does. What do you think it might be, any ideas?

 

[casportpony]

I checked her crop last night and it was full, this morning it was completely empty, she does eat grass and i have noticed she is eating more grit than she usually does. What do you think it might be, any ideas?

That's a good sign. What does her poop look like?

 

[mollymoo1]

her poop is very loose

 

[casportpony]

her poop is very loose

Can you post a picture of it?

 

[WhiteWyan]

I've had chickens make very loose poop in hot weather, just because they are drinking more. I wonder why she is drinking so much. It's worth a shot to give her some probiotics and apply cider vinegar in the water, just a little.

 

[mollymoo1]

I've had chickens make very loose poop in hot weather, just because they are drinking more. I wonder why she is drinking so much. It's worth a shot to give her some probiotics and apply cider vinegar in the water, just a little.

my chickens have cider vinegar every day in their water anyway

 

[Eggcessive]

If her crop is emptying overnight, then it sounds like her crop is working. An impacted crop may cause excessive drinking. Does she have any gasping or breathing difficulties? Probiotics or a tiny bit of plain yogurt for several days in a row, then twice a week might help. Getting a sample of her droppings checked for worms and coccidiosis would be good to rule out those problems. You may also try a spoonful of cottage cheese in her food, since that also can firm up droppings.

 

[mollymoo1]

I have found a vet that knows something about chickens, he thinks it is an infection in the gizzard, so he has given her antibiotics, so fingers crossed hes right.
Thank you so much for your time in replying to my post

 

[mollymoo1]

Can you post a picture of it?

just to let you know i have been able to find a vet that knows something about chickens and he thinks it is an infection in her gizzard, so she has been given antibiotics,but i am grateful for your interest and help.

 

[Duckworth]

I'm so glad you were able to find some local help. Let us know how she does.