Hello there and welcome to BYC!Yeast infections (Candidiasis) can appear in several forms...
1. Yeast infections on the vent are commonly known as "Vent Gleet". Here I have posted a picture, however cases will vary.
2. Yeast infections in the crop are commonly known as "Sour Crop". The crop will be soft or mushy, affected chickens often have smelly breath and might not be interested in feed. Generally until other infections set in, the chicken will only appear to be "off" or not quite itself... there aren't many symptoms and you can usually diagnose sour crop yourself.
3. Chickens can also have yeast infections in their throats. Examine the chicken by opening the beak and looking at the roof of the mouth and throat walls. You will see yellow patches if the chicken is affected.
WARNING Yeast is nearly identical to canker, sometimes even an expert cannot tell them apart without a microscopic examination. Also, yeast is often found with a second infection. If there is a second infection and you do not treat it the chicken will not fully recover.
I would 100% recommend a microscopic examination if you know a vet that is willing to do one or have access to a microscope (try a high school if you don't own one).
Sometimes there can be yeast infections other places internally or externally, but it is rare.
Yeast infections are usually treated using nystatin, apple cider vinegar in the drinking water, and yogurt (for probiotics).
Nystatin is prescription only and up to this point the only treatment I know of that can treat yeast (except in cases of Vent Gleet).
Vent Gleet can be treated by keeping the affected area clean and applying cortisone or a similar product.
Yeast infections in chickens are very treatable. It takes time, effort and TLC
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StandardLover it is possible that the chickens are affected with something else.
Excellent post on yeast infections!!
I might add to this that Acidified Copper Sulfate is a WONDERFUL yeast killer. It works fabulous for slow and sour crops, doughy crops, vent gleet, yeast infections of the gizzard, it also is a natural wormer and kills of many species of worms that infest the intestinal tract. Takes care of Coccidiosis, Canker and E.coli infections. Pretty much cleans out the bird from beak to vent. It is dosed at 1/4 teaspoon Copper to 1 gallon of water. Use plastic waterers only, make a new batch daily and offer this up as the only source of drinking water for 7 days.
Acidified Copper Sulfate can be purchased at many poultry supply stores and does not need a prescription. Always use poultry grade stuff. And follow up with a few days of Probiotics and a then a few more days with Apple Cider Vinegar (1 tablespoon ACV per gallon, plastic waterers only, make a new batch daily). I use each of these through out the week, alternating with pure water. The probiotics help to keep the good bacteria going and the ACV keeps the gut sour and helps keep the good digestive yeasts alive.
