Chicken poop concern

[wilamy]

Hello, I am new to chicken raising. We have 5 chickens - Easter Eggers. Three are 9 months old. The young hens just started laying eggs. One started to get soft poop, and I thought maybe something was up with the stress of laying eggs and the cold. Now it is turned to soft/ liquid, more black. I've given Vet RX medicinal. What else to do?? She is not acting lethargic. One other seems to have poop stuck to bum but the rest seem fine. All of them seem to be acting fine. Help, not sure what to do or if it will turn around. Thank you for any help!!!

 

[MysteryChicken]

Pictures?

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

Welcome to BYC! Do you have any pictures?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Three are 9 months old. The young hens just started laying eggs. One started to get soft poop, and I thought maybe something was up with the stress of laying eggs and the cold. Now it is turned to soft/ liquid, more black. I've given Vet RX medicinal.

Hi there and welcome to BYC!

Vet rx isn't going to fix or heal anything. It's basically Vick's vapor rub. How was it given. I only know of one product made by them??

Soft poop is quiet normal.. and liquid.. unless it's pure liquid every time is also normal.. because ALL fluid comes out with their droppings. Are you able to get a fecal float done by a vet to test for intestinal parasites? Since you say she isn't lethargic or off.. it isn't likely *immediately* life threatening like egg binding might be. I might suggest that you leave her be.. asking what is their normal feed including treats and supplements?

Clean the bumm feathers with waste stuck.. either trim or bathe (blow dry if very cold weather), This has to be done at least yearly for SOME ladies and sometimes seasonally for others.

If they become lethargic, decreased appetite, excessive drinking, or weird posture.. then we will be looking at more of an emergency status.. Right now, I think it about identifying IF there is actual cause for concern or HOPEFULLY not.

EE are usually quite active birds.. are they free ranging, and if so how far? Got neighbors, etc?

 

[wilamy]

Pictures?

I don't have any pictures - will get one. Thanks

 

[wilamy]

Welcome to BYC! Do you have any pictures?

Thank you. I will get a picture.

 

[wilamy]

Hi there and welcome to BYC!

Vet rx isn't going to fix or heal anything. It's basically Vick's vapor rub. How was it given. I only know of one product made by them??

Soft poop is quiet normal.. and liquid.. unless it's pure liquid every time is also normal.. because ALL fluid comes out with their droppings. Are you able to get a fecal float done by a vet to test for intestinal parasites? Since you say she isn't lethargic or off.. it isn't likely *immediately* life threatening like egg binding might be. I might suggest that you leave her be.. asking what is their normal feed including treats and supplements?

Clean the bumm feathers with waste stuck.. either trim or bathe (blow dry if very cold weather), This has to be done at least yearly for SOME ladies and sometimes seasonally for others.

If they become lethargic, decreased appetite, excessive drinking, or weird posture.. then we will be looking at more of an emergency status.. Right now, I think it about identifying IF there is actual cause for concern or HOPEFULLY not.

EE are usually quite active birds.. are they free ranging, and if so how far? Got neighbors, etc?

Thank you. Someone recommended Vet Rx. I rubbed some on their necks, under wings and gave a drop orally.

I'm going to have to observe the one girl more closely to see if it is liquid every time. I don't have a vet but I think need to look for one.

What is egg binding? I'll look it up but just did and they don't have any symptoms of that.

Do new layers - lay every day? Somedays we get 1,2 - 4! One of them just lays in random places in coop like they just fall out of her!

Feed is organic laying grain....treats of cracked corn (1/2-1 cup) and meal worms as treats. I have also been giving them some egg for protein. Some oatmeal and blueberries as a treat too. I tried cabbage as hear all chickens love it. Mine don't seem too - strange!

Yes we live in Maine so they are let outside from 8 AM to 4:30PM in their enclosed large run - kind of free range. But it's been winter storm and super freezing so they've had a few days in the coop ---mostly "free range" and not cooped up all the time.

I did go to our local agway today and the chicken expert there said if there is no blood in the poop than I shouldn't worry. She said as you have said liquid poop happens. To give probiotics and not worry unless the whole flock gets it. Agree?

How do you trim the feathers? Just scissors? It is super cold here so don't think I can give them a bath but can somehow use warm water and wash cloth to clean her off.

Thank you for your advice!!! And any more you have to offer. A super novice chicken mom here. Thank you!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I did go to our local agway today and the chicken expert there said if there is no blood in the poop than I shouldn't worry.

That person gave POOR advice at best.. ONLY 1 out of the 7-11 known strains of coccidia that effect chickens will present as blood in the droppings.. all others will NOT be seen AS blood. If they claim to be a chicken expert and don't have a degree in avian science.. they're misinformed.. my polite way of saying their name MIGHT be Stew Pidasso.

Do new layers - lay every day? Somedays we get 1,2 - 4! One of them just lays in random places in coop like they just fall out of her!

Sometimes yes, sometimes no.. depends on the light hours, genetics and so on.. Some of my new layers start out gang busters with no days off for 3 weeks straight and then take a day off or a week off.. Some might lay every other day.. Usually later in the season they will get regular according to genetics.. with leghorn and RIR type laying almost daily with a day or maybe 2 off per week while blue egg layer and darker brown layers may lay every other day-ish.. approximately 3-4 days per week.. it becomes MUCH more routine and predictable with a little maturity.

The random layer one.. may be lower in the pecking order or still deciding where she feels safe.. or just still adjusting to the feeling of an egg is coming! It doesn't *usually* go on for too long like that. During good weather though some of my gals need retraining to the boxes because there are just too many comfy spots with less competition on my property.. so getting familiar with expected egg count and keeping a basic track so you can notice when something suddenly changes.. Monkey see chicken do.. if one finds a nice spot, it won't take long before others have found her out.. sometimes I have to let it slide for DAYS to see where they're lining up.. so I can get the hidden eggs as well, before the pigs, raccoons, etc.. find them. Egg count familiarity will also give indication for health things like the egg binding question or internal laying, etc. I did not suspect binding earlier from your description. It can happen though when two+ or more yolks get released and become a huge egg.. sometimes in new or returning to lay from molt or brooding.. when it block the vent they are lucky to have anything other than liquid pass and it is usually deadly within 48 hours.. so I only mentioned it since diarrhea was the main symptom noted and that would have been a top priority to rule out. Glad you were able to!

Feed is organic laying grain....treats of cracked corn (1/2-1 cup) and meal worms as treats. I have also been giving them some egg for protein. Some oatmeal and blueberries as a treat too. I tried cabbage as hear all chickens love it.

Cracked corn and meal worms plus ALL other things (that aren't the formulated ration) should be fed at no more than 10% total daily intake. This is the chicken version of chips and candy bars. A "spoiled" bird is not the same as a happy/healthy one.

Cracked corn is about 7% protein but has NO added vitamins and mineral or importantly AMINO ACIDS like the ration. Many rations are already made with corn as the main ingredient. Understand that corn doesn't keep birds warm feathers do along with their own thermogenesis.. and a calorie is a calorie is a calorie.. as I already explained corn is just corn.. ONE source of calories/energy. Oats/oatmeal.. another grain, nothing special.. might diminish egg yolk color.. as they are impacted by feed stuff.. wheat, white corn, etc might give paler to platinum colored yolks.. yellow corn will give more pigment to yolks. Some feed include marigold to increase yolk color.. but free raging on a nicely varied pasture is one of the best (enriching both for the birds mind and for the egg) ways to accomplish this.. noting yolk color does NOT indicate nutrient value.

Meal worm are high fat and nutrient poor.. a great occasional treat, not daily.. Cabbage will NEVER compete with the enrichment already being offered in addition to the free range. My birds would VERY likely turn their beaks up AND even have done so to red wigglers! Because MY pasture is already laden with them.. IF you need to go on lock up for a while.. you might try a hanging cabbage then. But I'm not surprised at all that your mileage varied, as that is often the case when dealing with individuals and that's okay! Link to meal worm information..
http://www.sialis.org/raisingmealworms.htm#freeze

Eggs are a fantastic source of nutrients and enrichment.. a great palatable and EASY to digest pick me up ONCE in a while, like during an emergency or time of extra need.. That's when they are a *good* source of protein BUT they are 34% protein and 64% FAT (according to their energy aka calorie content, not volume).. with half the protein being found inside the yolk and all being more digestible in the cooked form.

How do you trim the feathers? Just scissors? It is super cold here so don't think I can give them a bath but can somehow use warm water and wash cloth to clean her off.

Yes, use scissors. It can be dried on like concrete and may be next to impossible to get off with a cloth. If it isn't getting your eggs dirty or growing bigger and pulling on her skin.. then sometimes I let it slide until I'm ready to take action. Use your judgement.. at least get a peak at the skin.. if it looks red and angry, then it could be from pulling on the feathers OR you might be seeing poultry lice/mites symptoms.. sometime there are "mud clumps" dried near the base of the feather shaft is how I describe the nits/eggs.. if you DO see this, it doesn't equal a bad keeper.. it equals birds that get to enjoy some of nature! It is usually NOT equal among the entire flock though they should all be checked and if found ALL should be treated accordingly.

If you do decide to trim.. only trim mature feathers that aren't still coming in and pin like.. those still have blood in them. But mature feathers are just like finger nails with no blood.. you can trim anywhere needed. Trimmed feathers will not grow back until molt. Sometimes they stay clean, other times they muck up again.. Some birds never muck up and other do.. I haven't found any rhyme or reason to cause, though as an avid breeder.. I select against repeat offenders... (find them other homes instead of breeding them).

I don't personally do it much or on purpose.. but sometimes plucking a feather that is heavily caked close to the base might be a better choice than leaving a short uncomfortable pokey feather.. in other words.. if they're being mounted by a rooster or that type of thing.

Now I remember we are talking about Easter Eggers.. did I already say I love me some EE?!

All things immune system and health related start with nutrition.. and from what I can tell it looks like treats may need to be cut WAY back.. and that alone should make a huge difference in what you are seeing going on.

I don't have a degree in avian science and after doing this passionately for number of years already.. there is so much more that I don't know than what I do.. I am not an expert at all and act like Stew Pidasso WAY to often myself as well!

We are ALL doing our best according to our understanding. One persons expert might be another novice.. but we are all novice in my eyes.. but we are here to hold each other up. glad you found the community!

 

[wilamy]

THANK YOU for all of this helpful information. I am a novice for sure! Good to know about the blood:-( not being the only sign. How do you know then if they are ok?? The good news is that the poop seems to be looking more healthy from what I can see. I was able to wash off her bum feathers and with the warmer weather the cold frozen stuff is no longer. But more importantly see more solids and healthy poop. I will definitely cut back on the treats. I had read somewhere that cracked corn was good to give them to keep them warm. Hmm. And mealy worms every day - I guess I am just spoiling them I love my girls! As we all do! Thankful to find this chicken community forum to get help and information.
I think it might be the little crossbeak EE that is dropping them randomly - we did put the fake eggs back in the nesting boxes to encourage them to lay there.
Eggsighted 4 life - can I ask you a question about bedding? Or should I start a new stream? We had been using hay - but switched to straw and wondering if that was a mistake.....
THANK YOU for all of your help!