Water coming out of my chicken's beak.

[ckuehn]

Bettie was feeling kind of down today. Her crop isn't really hard but when picked her up to put her ina a cage water came out of her beak and she was kind of gurgly. Just two weeks ago. I thought she had a soft egg because yolk was coming out of her. I gave her calcium and fish mox for three days and she seemed better. She is a three year old, big Australorp. These older girls are having some egg issues. The water didn't smell like anything...Any ideas?

 

[Razzlefrazzle]

You may have just pressed on her crop when it was full of water causing it to come back up out of her mouth, but she might have a crop issue. You need to check it first thing in the morning before food and water to make sure it's empty. If not you can read up on crop issues here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/
And here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ntion-and-treatments-of-crop-disorders.67194/

Is she eating and drinking normally? Her poop look good? Any bloating, squishiness or lumps in her belly area between her legs and below her vent?

 

[ckuehn]

Bettie always has squishiness in her belly area. I have her isolated now to see if her poop is right. Someone is having some issues, but I'm not sure if it is her. She seemed generally lethargic, but did eat stuff in her cage tonight.

 

[Razzlefrazzle]

Bettie always has squishiness in her belly area. I have her isolated now to see if her poop is right. Someone is having some issues, but I'm not sure if it is her. She seemed generally lethargic, but did eat stuff in her cage tonight.

Squishy as in a little extra fat on her or squishy as in it feels like a water balloon between her legs? If it's the later it's a sign of a more serious illness. Reproductive, liver, or heart issues can all cause fluid buildup in the abdomen. If she seems to have trouble walking (has a wide, waddling stance) or is slow and out of breath you may need to drain some of the fluid off to make her more comfortable. An avian vet might be able to diagnose the problem, but often there is no cure, just treatment options like periodic draining to help with symptoms.

 

[ckuehn]

Squishy as in a little extra fat on her or squishy as in it feels like a water balloon between her legs? If it's the later it's a sign of a more serious illness. Reproductive, liver, or heart issues can all cause fluid buildup in the abdomen. If she seems to have trouble walking (has a wide, waddling stance) or is slow and out of breath you may need to drain some of the fluid off to make her more comfortable. An avian vet might be able to diagnose the problem, but often there is no cure, just treatment options like periodic draining to help with symptoms.

I tried draining it early last summer and it just seemed to make her miserable. She does have extra fat and she is the larger of my two Australorps. Neither are very healthy, in ky opinion. Both have egg issues, but confinement this year has been extended and pretty hard on everyone. The three-year-old heavy layers are having issues pretty often, I feel.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Bettie was feeling kind of down today. Her crop isn't really hard but when picked her up to put her ina a cage water came out of her beak and she was kind of gurgly. Just two weeks ago. I thought she had a soft egg because yolk was coming out of her. I gave her calcium and fish mox for three days and she seemed better. She is a three year old, big Australorp. These older girls are having some egg issues. The water didn't smell like anything...Any ideas?

Check to see if her crop is emptying overnight.

What do you feed, including treats? Do you provide oyster shell free choice?

Sometimes if you pick a hen up a certain way after they have been eating/drinking they may spit up some water. If that happens, they can sound gurgly. Try to support the hen from underneath when picking her up instead of pressing the crop.

Unfortunately, reproductive issues can be common in laying hens. If she's resumed to her normal activity level, is eating/drinking and crop is emptying, then I'd monitor her for a few days. If she's having issues with soft shelled eggs, then giving the extra calcium would be a good idea.

Sometimes it's hard to diagnose issues. Hens that are beginning to have issues can have good and bad days. You'll want to try to rule out worms, so getting fecal float is something to consider too.