Diarrhoea problem

[Helen_Jayne]

Hi I have a few free range birds, two of them are polands. The problem is the keep getting diarrhoea. I have wormed them, that worked for a bit, then it comes back within a few days. If I keep them in a small cage with just pellets the diarrhoea stops too. It seems to be related to eating too many bugs but that's ridiculous, they are chickens. But when they go through the compost heap it gets worse. The problem is it is going to kill them eventually, they start drinking a lot of water first thing and then get sick, it happened to a bird I had before. I don't want to lose them, does anyone have any ideas?

 

[nuthatched]

You can't be sure of their diet unless you retain them a bit, it could be parasites from eating too many bugs or just too many bugs

 

[Helen_Jayne]

OK so it is actually possible for chickens to eat too many bugs?

 

[Eggcessive]

Chickens getting into the compost is not a good idea. Summer heat when they drink more, and eating a lot of greens can cause loose poops. As long as they are active, eating and drinking, I wouldn’t worry too much. Do you have any probiotics? A little cottage cheese or plain yogurt might be helpful every other day.

 

[LaFleche]

To keep them from visiting the compost you could set up some electric poultry netting in an area you think appropriate.

And feed them some Moro carrot soup to restore gut balance

https://www.ency123.com/2015/09/natural-remedy-for-diarrhea-professor.html

 

[Helen_Jayne]

Thanks this is very helpful