4 yo hen with Diarrhea for weeks

[Mo'sMenagerie]

My 4 yo black australorp hsa had runny poop/diarrhea for weeks. Everyone else seems fine, and she looks and acts super healthy. I've had her poop tested for worms, but it cam back negative. There has been a lot of change in the flock with new pullets getting introduced and one of my others going broody and now raising 1 week olds. Could it just be stress? The fact that they are all eating grower feed? I've been giving electrolytes and probiotics and treated their water with vinegar, but no change. Any thoughts? I'll try and upload a picture of the poop soon...

 

[Ebony Rose]

When was the last time she laid an egg? If you don't know, you will need to separate her from the flock to see if she's laying, preferably in something like a dog crate (etc) that can be located in eyesight of the rest of the flock so that she doesn't lose pecking order would be ideal. Reproductive disorders in a hen her age, wouldn't be uncommon, and if you think that's what you're dealing with, you may wish to start her on antibiotics.

 

[Eggcessive]

Do you have crushed oyster shell available for the layers in the flock to eat as they need? Electrolytes should only be given for a few days, or it may cause diarrhea. Vinegar really does nothing, so it could be stopped. Try giving her an ounce of cottage cheese every other day to see if that helps the loose droppings. If it is warm, she may just be drinking a lot of water which can cause watery droppings. As long as she acts normal and energetic, I would not worry too much. But reproductive disorders can cause runny droppings and other symptoms.

 

[Mo'sMenagerie]

When was the last time she laid an egg? If you don't know, you will need to separate her from the flock to see if she's laying, preferably in something like a dog crate (etc) that can be located in eyesight of the rest of the flock so that she doesn't lose pecking order would be ideal. Reproductive disorders in a hen her age, wouldn't be uncommon, and if you think that's what you're dealing with, you may wish to start her on antibiotics.

Thank you for the info. She laid an egg yesterday. It seemed normal. Occasionally there are a couple speckles of what look like dirt or gravel in her egg, but otherwise they seem normal. She's been laying about 3 eggs a week, regularly. Maybe I've been giving them too many vitamins? I have been giving them "Rooster Booster" regularly now for a week or so bc one of my chickens was dealing with what I thought was feather mites. But I didn't rule out a vitamin A deficiency. Sounds like I should stop with the "rooster Booster" for a while...

 

[Mo'sMenagerie]

Do you have crushed oyster shell available for the layers in the flock to eat as they need? Electrolytes should only be given for a few days, or it may cause diarrhea. Vinegar really does nothing, so it could be stopped. Try giving her an ounce of cottage cheese every other day to see if that helps the loose droppings. If it is warm, she may just be drinking a lot of water which can cause watery droppings. As long as she acts normal and energetic, I would not worry too much. But reproductive disorders can cause runny droppings and other symptoms.

I do have crushed oyster shell, but it doesn't look like they are eating a lot of it lately. I gave her some greek yogurt this morning and she loved it I will try the cottage cheese!

 

[Eggcessive]

If you suspect feather mites, you may want to use a permethrin 10 product (spray or dust,) or use ivermectin pour-on on the back of the neck midline 0.1 ml per every 2 pounds. Repeat in 14 days.

 

[Ebony Rose]

My hens will eat anything slathered in yogurt

 

[Mo'sMenagerie]

If you suspect feather mites, you may want to use a permethrin 10 product (spray or dust,) or use ivermectin pour-on on the back of the neck midline 0.1 ml per every 2 pounds. Repeat in 14 days.

I treated her and the entire flock with Elector PSP and she's doing much better.