Bright Green Poop

[NatureGirl74]

I've noticed that last few days my cockerels have had neon green poop. It's not runny. It looks normal, it's just bright green. They are all acting fine, hungry, thirsty, and have a lot of energy. These birds don't free range that's why this poop scared me. Could it be the feed? They are in with my peafowl so the protein is really high. A few months ago one of my roos had bright green poop every other day for about 2 weeks. One evening he got really lethargic. He laid down right where he was at, closed his eyes, and puffed up his feathers. He sounded like he couldn't breathe very well and the back of his comb turned purple. He didn't even peck me when I picked him up to take him back to his pen. By morning he was running around like nothing had happened and it hasn't happened since then. The peafowl have normal poop. If the cockerels and roo aren't eating greens why is their poop green?

 

[The-White-Elephant]

According to a website:
Could possibly be: Internal worms, Marek's disease, Avian flu.

More likely cause: Diet high in greens, weeds, grasses and vegetables. It can also be if you feed them lots of green treats from the garden, like lettuce, cucumber, etc.

 

[NatureGirl74]

According to a website:
Could possibly be: Internal worms, Marek's disease, Avian flu.

More likely cause: Diet high in greens, weeds, grasses and vegetables. It can also be if you feed them lots of green treats from the garden, like lettuce, cucumber, etc.

They haven't had any of those foods for 2 weeks. They only treat they've had since then is a slice of bread split between all of them.

 

[The-White-Elephant]

They haven't had any of those foods for 2 weeks. They only treat they've had since then is a slice of bread split between all of them.

Hm. These People should help better than me @Wyorp Rock @MysteryChicken

 

[azygous]

What is the percentage of protein in the feed? If these cockerels and roos have been eating an excessive amount of protein, more than 20%, it can be hard on their kidneys, and they might be putting out large amounts of urates due to drinking large amounts of water to counter the high protein diet. This strain on the kidneys may be straining the liver, as well.

 

[NatureGirl74]

What is the percentage of protein in the feed? If these cockerels and roos have been eating an excessive amount of protein, more than 20%, it can be hard on their kidneys, and they might be putting out large amounts of urates due to drinking large amounts of water to counter the high protein diet. This strain on the kidneys may be straining the liver, as well.

They have 3 parts 28% and 2 parts scratch. Them and the peafowl pick all of the protein feed out and spit it onto the ground. They only like the scratch. These boys aren't in there permanently. The roo with green poop that I described from several months ago had been on 18% All Flock, but his poop was super runny

 

[azygous]

28% is excessive for chickens. If it's not affecting them now, it will for certain in time. Organ failure and gout are a couple of long term consequences.

The green poop probably doesn't mean much now, but it could be a warning flag that the high protein consumption by the chickens has the potential to harm them. If these roosters are meant for slaughter, this is not important, though. If you mean to keep them for the long term, you may want to rethink your management plan.

 

[NatureGirl74]

28% is excessive for chickens. If it's not affecting them now, it will for certain in time. Organ failure and gout are a couple of long term consequences.

The green poop probably doesn't mean much now, but it could be a warning flag that the high protein consumption by the chickens has the potential to harm them. If these roosters are meant for slaughter, this is not important, though. If you mean to keep them for the long term, you may want to rethink your management plan.

2 of them are for sure going to be slaughtered. The oldest roo gets to stay. I moved him in there a few weeks ago and he doesn't have green poop. Actually when I put him in there the green poop went away. Still trying to decide what to do about the 3rd cockerel.

 

[MysteryChicken]

@U_Stormcrow, Feed wizard, do your thing?

 

[Banana01]

It's definitely feed related. Could be lack of grit as well, which strains the liver and kidneys, and causes black comb. Are your chickens molting too? Molting puts strain on their existing diets too. Are there any supplemental snacks or nutrients you can provide above the feed, it may help. Something possibly with natural glucose or sugar. Im in a balancing act right now trying to manually feed some chickens and its hard getting the grit and protein and nutrients correct. Ive been giving my chickens liver pate as supplement, but they still need something more.