Since we all raise chickens (or animals of some sort), I'd like to think none of us would be squeamish, but to be on the safe side: WARNING: POOP PHOTO ATTACHED BELOW.
My 3-year-old barred rock hen had droppings clinging to the feathers below her vent a couple weeks ago, so I cleaned her up and clipped the fluffiest feathers down. Checked her vent and surrounding skin; she had some feathers missing just below her vent (almost like a reverse "landing strip" for lack of a better term), no sign of gleet, mites, lice, or fleas, and no redness, irritation, swelling, or other issues with her vent. She's laying regularly (clean eggs), eating and drinking regularly, and interacting with the flock and foraging normally. Clear eyes, no respiratory issues, and bright red comb and wattles. I have been monitoring her during free range time and most of her poops are watery and loose as they come out. Most of the time she poops on dirt, gravel, or grass so it's hard to get a good look at one, but last night she pooped on the concrete walkway so I was able to inspect it and snap a picture. Not sure what to look for in case of worms, but I saw no movement. It has been warm/hot in our area over the last few weeks; between 80-100 degrees on any given day. Is this just a hot-weather-related-excess-water-intake poop? Or do you more experienced chicken keepers see something else? Thanks!
My 3-year-old barred rock hen had droppings clinging to the feathers below her vent a couple weeks ago, so I cleaned her up and clipped the fluffiest feathers down. Checked her vent and surrounding skin; she had some feathers missing just below her vent (almost like a reverse "landing strip" for lack of a better term), no sign of gleet, mites, lice, or fleas, and no redness, irritation, swelling, or other issues with her vent. She's laying regularly (clean eggs), eating and drinking regularly, and interacting with the flock and foraging normally. Clear eyes, no respiratory issues, and bright red comb and wattles. I have been monitoring her during free range time and most of her poops are watery and loose as they come out. Most of the time she poops on dirt, gravel, or grass so it's hard to get a good look at one, but last night she pooped on the concrete walkway so I was able to inspect it and snap a picture. Not sure what to look for in case of worms, but I saw no movement. It has been warm/hot in our area over the last few weeks; between 80-100 degrees on any given day. Is this just a hot-weather-related-excess-water-intake poop? Or do you more experienced chicken keepers see something else? Thanks!
