Black runny poop (pics included)

[Trish1974]

I have been finding a lot of piles of black runny poop lately (the past few weeks). Seems to be occurring more than the occasional cecal poop. Is this normal? I haven't seen any visible worms. They do not have access to wood ash. They have been foraging in the garden 1-3 hours a day and have access to bugs, worms, weeds and one of my compost piles. I haven't given it much thought because I know there is a wide range of normal, but this morning my top hen is acting ill. The first pic was taken in the coop under the roost, so I don't think that is one whole poop from any one particular bird, but you can see what I'm referring to at the top and bottom left of the pic. Unfortunately there is no vet around that will see a chicken, or even perform a fecal test. Any advice?

 

[lazy gardener]

Any insecticides or weed killers used in the garden? Have you ever used any of the Warfarin based mouse/rat poisons on your property? That one girl is acting ill is your greatest concern, more so than the color of the poop. It could be that they are just going overboard tanking up on soil after a long winter.

 

[Trish1974]

Any insecticides or weed killers used in the garden? Have you ever used any of the Warfarin based mouse/rat poisons on your property? That one girl is acting ill is your greatest concern, more so than the color of the poop. It could be that they are just going overboard tanking up on soil after a long winter.

Nope, no chemicals or poison used anywhere on the property.