Completely liquid poo?

[irishcowgirl]

Ok so I got my two laying RIR girls last week, and they've had really runny poo. Thought it was just from stress and that it would get better soon. I've been feeding then crushed layer feed, and plenty of scraps... zucchini, squash, tomatoes... they had been free range before I got them, and now they're in a coop, so am I just giving too much veggies? It's just so much fun to watch them eat. Also, how much should I feed them a day? One source said a handful of feed a day, and another said as much as they want... thanks in advance!

 

[Gallusfarm]

Hi and

. It is my understanding that chickens will not overeat. I leave their layer feed out all day. We also give them kitchen scraps - vegetables, rice, etc. Just make sure they have access to grit and plenty of water. About the runny poo. I've seen that occasionally, and for the most part it can be normal, but then again it can be a sign of illness. Just keep an eye on it - you want to see a firmer poo with a white cap. Lovely...

Are they laying OK for you?

Good luck.

 

[irishcowgirl]

Good to know about the feed... I haven't bought them any grit yet, so maybe they need some? Sometimes their poo looks like runny squished tomatoes. Doesn't look bloody, but redish and gooey. I've seen some normal poo but mostly the other kind.

 

[Tiramisu]

That kind of poo is normal, it is usually a brown color or it can be a very dark/black color. This site shows pics of normal poo http://www.chat.allotment.org.uk/index.php?topic=17568.0 Ceacal poo is most likely what you are seeing.

And with feed its best to make sure they always have feed available.

 

[Tiramisu]

Quote:
You don't need grit if they have access to soil, and some feed also has some grit in it. Some people give it to theirs and some don't. I don't use any.

 

[Gallusfarm]

Quote:
Wow, I haven't seen that site before. Hard to believe how many varieties of normal there are!!! Thanks.

 

[Tiramisu]

Quote:
Wow, I haven't seen that site before. Hard to believe how many varieties of normal there are!!! Thanks.

Your welcome

I found the link through other postings a while ago, but its very helpful.

Some of the pics have more solid poo in with them or look a bit foamy, but mine usually do ones that are completely liquidy. Just so you don't think yours doesn't look enough like the pics there

and they also smell really bad.

 

[irishcowgirl]

Wow... never in my life have I been more excited and disgusted at the same time.

Haha, that was incredibly helpful Tiramisu! Thanks a bunch. The poo I was worried about was definitely the "watery" variety. It has been extremely hot and even more humid here lately, and I'm sure they've both been drinking lots of water. Also glad to hear about the grit. That was my understanding, and that's why I hesitated to buy them any.