Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RoyalChick]

So where did the food go? It has to come out. Does anyone know how long it takes for food to travel the length of their digestive system? Is the watery poo maybe from Friday's crop?

I know! That is exactly what I was thinking. Where did it all go? I am going to spend as much time today as I possibly can hanging with the chickens so I can observe her.

 

[BY Bob]

Nest Box Sleepers

Both Sansa and Sydney slept in the nest boxes last night.

Sansa has always had a predilection to sleep in the nest boxes from when she first came to join us. Sydney is more of a roosting hen. I do remember that last year while molting, Sydney would sleep more in the nest box so Iam not concerned with this occurring. It also helps that no one is laying eggs right now.

This also may be why Phyllis is not having the same roosting difficulties which she was having before. There are two fewer participants.

 

[Shadrach]

We're the opinionated ones. Luckily we also like each other.

Pffttt, I have opinions on being opinionated.

 

[RoyalChick]

Nest Box Sleepers

Both Sansa and Sydney slept in the nest boxes last night.
View attachment 2868718

Sansa has always had a predilection to sleep in the nest boxes from when she first came to join us. Sydney is more of a roosting hen. I do renege that last year while molting, Sydney would sleep more in the nest box so Iam not concerned with this occurring. It also helps that no one is laying eggs right now.

This also may be why Phyllis is not having the same roosting difficulties which she was having before. There are two fewer participants.

That makes sense to me at least.

 

[Shadrach]

Maybe they'll end up with names like Fax, Copy, Carbon, Simile?

Now yer talking!

 

[Shadrach]

I don't think that is quite right is it? I thought the crop was supposed to empty overnight which is why I got up before light to check it before she eats anything.
It was full last night and empty first thing in the morning. I thought that was normal?

It is normal.

 

[Shadrach]

So where did the food go? It has to come out. Does anyone know how long it takes for food to travel the length of their digestive system? Is the watery poo maybe from Friday's crop?

There is not a simple answer.
Different foodstuffs digest at different rates. Water goes through the system in minutes. Dense high protein content may take 10 to 12 hours.
It is quite possible to feed a chicken a range of foodstuffs and then a lot of water and have nothing but water pooped out in the next few poops.

 

[Shadrach]

I know! That is exactly what I was thinking. Where did it all go? I am going to spend as much time today as I possibly can hanging with the chickens so I can observe her.

Poop checks. One needs to check every poop, cecal and normal for a whole day to get a decent idea of what is going on. Most chickens do strange poops. It's when all they do is strange poops one needs to be concerned.
This is why morning poop checks can tell you a lot about a chickens health. You will have a pile of poop deposited over the roosting hours.

 

[RoyalChick]

Poop checks. One needs to check every poop, cecal and normal for a whole day to get a decent idea of what is going on. Most chickens do strange poops. It's when all they do is strange poops one needs to be concerned.
This is why morning poop checks can tell you a lot about a chickens health. You will have a pile of poop deposited over the roosting hours.

Yes that is why I rigged up a poop board under her. I am 99% certain she pooped nothing but liquid all night.

 

[Marie2020]

But how long does it take to travel through the digestive system and become poo? 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours? I don't know.

I thought 24 hours but now starting to think 12