reflux in a chicken?

[tlck9]

Hi All

I noticed today, that when one of my ex batts drinks, she wanders away and promptly throws up some of the water?

Now I know they dont have a regurgitation device, so is this normal, is she just drinking too much and its coming back out when she put her head down to eat/pack

I've noticed this twice with her.

[RichmondHens]

I don't normally comment on questions about ex-batts as I've never kept them, and they do seem to be a law unto themselves....... however, all chickens seem to have slightly different ways of drinking. Some gulp and dribble, some take short neat sips, some take just one mouthful and walk away, to return two minutes later to do the same, some stand and drink loads but then don't go near the drinker again for ages. It may just be her own personal style, she may be taking in more than she actually wants/needs to swallow and the excess just drains out again. If she is well in all other respects then I would not worry too much, unless she starts to lose condition and look ill.

[lainey lou]

You may need to just check her crop isn't impacted.
I'm sure the wiser ones will be along shortly to help more.

[tlck9]

Her crop is empyting okay, after omlet, I watch them like a hawk!!

Please tell me that one day I will stop worrying over every little thing.....

I have K or as my OH now calls her cluckcluck, hiding away from the others, sneezing and generally being really quiet and the other ex batt getting reflux.

Oh my....please tell me it gets easier

[kirsty b]

Nah, it never ends!! But you just get more experienced and able to deal with it 'in-house' as it were. I still cluck (pardon the pun) over mine if they don't seem themselves.

[Eco-Chic]

Your flock are a learning curve in themselves for me Tick

'Tis because you have so many, and because you're rehabilitating so many abused ex-batts that you seem to have so many different problems.

You'll be completely grey haired by the time they've grown their feathers back

[lainey lou]

Any news this morning?

[tlck9]

cluck cluck (I so prefer this name to her original K! Name), was sneezing but no gunk coming from her nose or anything and is eating. Still a little nervy around the others and is hiding away, but she laid yesterday.

I checked on Freddie, her crop was empty and she seems to be eating fine, didnt see this reflux again. So its a case of keeping on eye on them!

I was offered two gentler ex batts thi week, but I was put off as the two of my existing ones are bullies. However I'm wondering if they may be good for cluckcluck? Now stupid question asking anyone here if taking more on is a good idea....

But what do you think in the circumstances? I just worry, cluckcluck will still end up on her own now that curly has gone?

[MaureenHall]

Course it's a good idea That is if you've got somewhere that you can keep them separated for a while with cluckcluck so that they make their own "gang" before mixing them all in together

[Hilary B]

Course it's a good idea That is if you've got somewhere that you can keep them separated for a while with cluckcluck so that they make their own "gang" before mixing them all in together

That sounds about right to me. Put cluck cluck in the separate bit first, then add the new ones, once they are one flock, mix with the 2 bullies (preferrably by adding the bullies to somewhere the other 3 are used to being, 'home territory' makes birds bolder and more likely to stand up for themselves)!