Can feeding 12 week old pullets lettuce, parsley give them diarrhea?

[luvbiddies]

Hi I am a new chicken mom and I have been feeding as treats, supplements , lettuce and parsley. My older hens poop is normal but I have one 12 week old pullet who has loose stools, (no blood in it). She is eating her layer feed and dusting and active, but has also eaten a lot of lettuce and parsley. Any thoughts or anything I need to look out for?

 

[threehorses]

Your 12 week old needs the correct food: grower. Incorrect food and the addition of treats can cause her to have more than just diarrhea, yes.

Laying feed is only for birds over 5 plus months of age.

Iceburg lettuce is a water-filled useless food for birds. It's alright as a treat, but will cause diarrhea and - in large amounts - can cause the diet to be insufficient. Using a stronger green is a better treat. Collars, mustard greens, pretty much greens you'd cook.

You can also try giving her a tiny bit of plain unflavored yogurt. It has live bacteria in it (that's the benefit, not the milk portion). The chicken's digestive system is reliant on live bacteria to digest their food and help reduce the incidences of diarrhea and digestive upsets. So replacing the live bacteria with more is helpful.

 

[luvbiddies]

Threehorses, thank you so much for your wisdom. I will correct with the grower food. And I will stop the lettuce. I do have some collards to give them, also can I give cabbage? Lisa

 

[b.hromada]

They go crazy for cabbage!! Especially if you can hang it up a little above them, so that they have to "reach" for it!

 

[luvbiddies]

I knew there was a reason to go to the farm market today and get 2 cabbages!

 

[b.hromada]

Yep, well now you know. Wait till you see them, its hilarious!

 

[threehorses]

The old books mention nailing the cabbage to a wall. Can you imagine?

Just be SURE that they all have grit (granite grit) please.

 

[luvbiddies]

Quote:
Yes they all have grit and my husband also put in small road gravel (washed of course)