Black poop?

[PeepsAreForMe]

Does anyone know what would cause this? I have 3 4 1/2 month pullets. 2 are laying. I am feeding them layer pellets - I'm not sure they are eating them, I got pellets instead of crumbles by mistake. I do feed them corn on the cob and grapes every day.

This morning I found really big poops - as big a small egg. They were dark but not black. They are laying consistently but I want to make sure they are getting enough of the nutrients they need. Thanks!

 

[Fred's Hens]

To be sure they are eating properly, it is best to follow the 10% rule. NO, this rule didn't come down from Sinai, but it remains a basic rule of thumb, nonetheless. Limit the snacks and such to 10% of their intake. A back yard chicken can easily be spoiled, just like fussy kids who only want to eat desserts and junk.

 

[PeepsAreForMe]

I do believe I have some spoiled girls on my hands, And I wondered if they were not eating their food because of the treats they get. Do you think they are having a hard time with the pellet food? I will try to crumble it some. I have just about a full bag and didn't want to buy another.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Chickens that are hungry will eat just about anything. Chickens that are spoiled hold out until they've trained their keepers into being their butlers and chefs.

We raise nothing but hungry chickens here and the shape of the feed, crumbles, pellets, or mash makes no difference whatsoever. Chickens dislike change. They balk, a bit, when first introduced to a new thing, especially pellets. But, stick with it, if the pellets is what you wish to feed, they'll eat them, by goodness and by golly, cause that's all they're gonna get. I've never, ever, in 50 years, seen a chicken starve itself to death, but I've sure seen my fair share of flock keepers who spoil their birds.

 

[PeepsAreForMe]

Would the treats explain the really big piles of poop?

 

[Fred's Hens]

No, chicken have to poop the really "big ones" every once in awhile. BTW, those seem to be the really stinky ones too! LOL

 

[Pullet Surprise]

You have some spoiled girls....so did I. When I changed from crumbles to pellets there was a very minor rebellion.I liked the pellets better as there was so much less waste. It was a wee bit more work for them to eat the pellets and that's o.k. Cut back on the snacks...way back for a couple of days, they'll figure it out. They may look at you with the evil eye, but they will get over it....quickly. They need to work for their food if they aren't free ranged a lot. Mine are still spoiled...it's easy to do, but I have found that when you give snacks makes a difference too. It works better for mine to snack much later in the day than early.

 

[PeepsAreForMe]

You are NOT kidding about the smell!! P-U!! LOL

They were free ranging in the evenings and weekends, until last weekend when I noticed my rooster Mr. Big limping. He is my avatar picture. I am afraid he may have Marek's. I am waiting on bloodwork for him and my girls to determine. He is not in any pain but it breaks my heart to see him hopping on one foot. He sits down a lot. So they have not been out in our yard since then. My husband is being so positive for me. Mr. Big is such a great rooster, he really takes care of his girls.