runny poop...

[Corris]

My chickens are now two week residents here (yesterday I let them out of the pen for the first time, and they were VERY well behaved and put themselves to bed back in there right on time - I'm very proud).

Sorry, digressing;

One of my bluebells has runny poop. Now, when we get her she was smellier than the other chooks, but they were in an overcrowded dirty pen. We noticed when we took her out of the boxes that what was left behind was not the same as the others - and they don't move about at night, so I know that what is under her perch is more 'liquidy' than under the others.

I find it slightly worrying that I could identify my chickens from their individual poo - but there you go I'm not obssessive, honestly.....

Anyway, she is healthy, gaining weight, seems happy and joining in with everything, eats the same as the others - and MAY just do it when she's nervous because I'm around - but I wondered if it's something that should worry me?

[chris]

Runny poo can be a way of them cooling down, however - as I think sue said in a recent thread that's probably not the reason now.

Have you wormed them? Were they wormed before you got them? Two ticks, I'll dig that thread out for you.

[chris]

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...poo_60448.html - but it's not the one I was on about....

[chris]

Ah, here we are: http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...poo_61418.html

[Suechooks]

If you're sure she's otherwise well I think I'd definitely worm them all with Flubenvet. You say she was in a dirty pen so the likelihood is she may have worms. Also put some Apple cider vinegar in the water for a week (10ml ACV to each litre of water). Feed only layers pellets for a time as too much green stuff occasionally causes runny poo particularly if they're not used to it. A bit of corn in the afternoon will be ok but keep it to a minimum.

[petal]

Also, bear in mind that some poos are caecal poos and meant to be runny.

[chris]

I'm eating petal :/

[Corris]

They were wormed from the breeder - she seemed VERY on the ball.

Why apple cider vinegar Suechooks? I'm happy to do it, but need the learn the 'why's' of things.

This was a godsend - I LOVE it here!

4. Poo - The Chicken Keeper's Guide - The Poultry Pages - Allotment and Vegetable Gardening

I think it's caecal poop - because it's greenish like that one, but slightly more runny - it's certainly not 'watery'.

Who knew I'd be so fascinated by chicken poop eh? I think the verdict is that she's fine, and normal and not ill. At least she doesn't look in any way affected.

[Suechooks]

Apple cider vinegar lowers the pH in stomach and renders it less welcoming for harmful pathogens. You need to give the unfiltered version (from horse/poultry feed places). It also contains vitamins minerals and trace elements so gives them a bit of a "tonic" boost. It shouldn't be given all the time but I try to give it for a few days each month. I give 10ml per litre of drinking water but some advocate up to 20ml.
Caecal poo should only appear occasionally - around 1 every 8-10 poos. There is ahuge variation in "normal" poo as you'll realise from looking at the pictures!