Chicken pooping after laying egg

[chickensuz]

We have been finding poop in the nest box after the eggs have been layed for the day. We count the girls every night on their perch and clean the coop every morning so we know that no one is sleeping in the nest box. Poop is somewhat watery. Has anyone heard of this?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Occasionally a hen will poop when laying. It seems if they do it, they do it more often unfortunately. The hen probably is pushing the poop out after the egg because they feel the same, and she's emptying out. Hopefully it stops.

 

[chickensuz]

Thanks. I am new to chicken keeping and I was hoping it was something like that and not an illness.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thanks. I am new to chicken keeping and I was hoping it was something like that and not an illness.

I see it occasionally. I suppose it could be a sign of a hen being too fat, especially if she's older. But a young hen I might guess there's not as much room because stuff hasn't stretched out, or the hen hasn't gotten used to all the sensations that go along with passing such a large object repeatedly.

 

[Ducksandchickens]

Next time you see poop maybe take a picture of it just to make sure it’s normal looking poop.

 

[chickensuz]

We are finding it in the same box where a newer layer has layed but it is not the only egg in the box...so we are not sure who did it.

 

[chickensuz]

Good idea, thanks.

 

[aart]

Have a couple that seem to almost always poop a bit while laying.
Watery poop could indicate illness.
Hard to tell if bird is pooping while laying...
...or a bird is 'hiding' in nest due to not feeling well.