4 out of 6 new layers developed poopy butt. Why?

[thecatumbrella]

This is staggered over time; it's not happening all at once. Occurs within a week of starting to lay. No problem beforehand. It's not vent gleet or worms, as far as I can tell. The timing is also too coincidental. It's almost like the droppings get a little more watery and stickier. Of course, it always happens with my fluffiest birds (Australorps and Pekin bantams). I try to keep the feathers trimmed in that area. Next step is trying some probiotics and cutting back on fruit/vegetable treats (which they rarely get anyway).

Anyone else see this? I've noticed they'll eat and drink A LOT more before starting to lay. They'll also start chowing down on oyster shell. Maybe this change overwhelms their system a bit?

 

[ChickenChick46]

My uncle has dealt with this in his birds. He buys his pullets at 14 to 16 weeks old, so they begin to lay usually not too much longer after he gets them. I don't know that he's ever found a definite cause, but he thinks it may the hormonal shifts. Sorry, I know that's not much help. Mine aren't anywhere near laying yet so I don't have the experience to offer more insight.

 

[thecatumbrella]

My uncle has dealt with this in his birds. He buys his pullets at 14 to 16 weeks old, so they begin to lay usually not too much longer after he gets them. I don't know that he's ever found a definite cause, but he thinks it may the hormonal shifts. Sorry, I know that's not much help. Mine aren't anywhere near laying yet so I don't have the experience to offer more insight.

That's interesting. Well I'm glad I'm not the only one! It must be related. Even the plumbing changes from their little puckered kitty butts to... not sure how to describe the vent post-lay without sounding gross. Let's just say they're no longer little puckered kitty butts.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

My fluffy butt girls get dirty rears sometimes, but I usually just give them a wash and trim, and all is well. I do have one lady, she's 3 1/2 and every Spring when she starts to lay again, she gets a dirty rear. I wash, trim, probiotics, it just doesn't go away until she molts, then she is right as rain until she starts laying again. I have no explanation for the why. Loved your description above btw!

 

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

Fermenting the food can help and making sure they have ample grit. The probiotics is a good idea. I had the poopy butt issue with purina and was glad when I changed feed. Your girls could also be eating an imbalance because they're trying to figure it out. When laying, the egg forming can make poo come out too early to make room, resulting in diarrhea.

 

[LucyFurr]

Is her poop normal or diarrhea? Parasites such as round worms can cause this.

 

[ChickenChick46]

That's interesting. Well I'm glad I'm not the only one! It must be related. Even the plumbing changes from their little puckered kitty butts to... not sure how to describe the vent post-lay without sounding gross. Let's just say they're no longer little puckered kitty butts.

I recently watched a cat give birth, so I can extrapolate and infer. Different species, but changes are still a-happening, lol.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I do have one lady, she's 3 1/2 and every Spring when she starts to lay again, she gets a dirty rear.

That would align with what I'm seeing! It must be a transition thing.

When laying, the egg forming can make poo come out too early to make room, resulting in diarrhea.

I hadn't considered this. I've noticed more watery stools with heat and stress, but this makes a lot of sense as well. Kind of like pressure on a tube of toothpaste.

Is her poop normal or diarrhea? Parasites such as round worms can cause this.

Hi Lucy! Welcome to BYC!

I'm not too concerned about parasites yet because it's happening like clockwork with the onset of lay, but it's definitely something I'll keep in mind looking forward. We use a droppings tray, which really helps me keep tabs on everyone's health!

 

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

I hadn't considered this. I've noticed more watery stools with heat and stress, but this makes a lot of sense as well. Kind of like pressure on a tube of toothpaste.

Yeah, some figure out to reduce eating before laying to avoid this dilemma, others will lay early morning before they eat. The contractions of trying to move and egg also hurries up the other stuff in there too. I recommended fermenting to make the food easier to quickly digest, if you don't already do that. The extra water they intake is to add water to the egg whites before forming the shell.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Yeah, some figure out to reduce eating before laying to avoid this dilemma, others will lay early morning before they eat. The contractions of trying to move and egg also hurries up the other stuff in there too. I recommended fermenting to make the food easier to quickly digest, if you don't already do that. The extra water they intake is to add water to the egg whites before forming the shell.

I was fermenting this summer and they started to poo-poo it, so the plan was to restart once the weather cools (and I can leave the food out longer). They're on a simple corn-based crumble right now. Guess they need some of that chickie kombucha to get things regular!