Chick Poo - I can't figure out if this is normal or not (Pics)

[Haleth]

My chicks are a week old today, and they've been pooping like crazy. Yay. However, this seems kind of new, or maybe I didn't notice since today is the first time I took them out to the patio to roam a bit. And a few of them pooped these out within seconds of each other. I looked at the poop pictures, did searches, but I think I just need someone to tell me if a) this IS foamy or something, b) cecal poop, c) something else that's innocuous, or d) I'm off my rocker for picking at them with a toothpick.




(clickety click for bigger pics if you really want to see them...)

Please help! Thank you!!

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

b) cecal poop

 

[Haleth]

omg THANK YOU. I was hoping I was just crazy!

 

[PunkinPeep]

First, are any of them acting funny? Lethargic or anything?

Second, how is their temperature? That first picture looks like someone's really guzzling the water, and that is usually an indication that they are too hot. I know many people keep the heat lamps on them for quite a few weeks, but i found that my chicks were completely comfortable and active with no heat at all after only a week and a half.

Third, have they ever been outside on the ground? And where did you get them?

 

[Kittymomma]

I agree, it's cecal. Here's a link to a "poop page" you might find it handy in the future.

http://happyhenhouse.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=poop&action=display&thread=7588

 

[Haleth]

They've been acting the same, just a little more active the past day or two. The watery one had me worried, too. I have them in an L-shaped brooder box so they can move away from the lamp if they need to, but they only do that to eat. The only thing I've done differently was give them a little yogurt about two days ago.


ETA: I incubated them, and today was the first time they've been on the ground except for a few minutes in one of my planter boxes.

 

[Haleth]

Oh, thank you, Kittymomma! I was looking on Google for some just now! That saves a lot of time.

 

[Kittymomma]

Quote:
You're welcome. Isn't it funny how facinated we become with poo after we get critters and/or kids? Everybody else thinks it's gross, but it is an awesome indicator of what is going on health wise.

 

[Haleth]

I know! Everyone thinks I'm nuts for even having chickens, so the poop thing I usually keep to myself. "Furtive" is the word that comes to mind when I'm checking it out, even in my own backyard.

 

[Kittymomma]

Ignore them. The more familiar you are with what is normal, in general and for your birds in particular, the more likely you are to notice when there is a problem. Chickens are, in the natural order of things, a prey species and like most prey animals they often don't show signs of illness until very close to death.