Grassy poop stuck in hens rear end? Gross pic!

[Monkeysmom5018]

Title says it all! Just went to check on my girls and my year and a half-ish silkie hen had a giant piece of grass dangling. I thought it was just stuck to her fluffy bum but nope! I gently pulled and it just kept coming out! Looks like she’s been eating too much grass or straw. Is this normal? Should I be worried?

 

[AllenK RGV]

Wow never seen mine poop grass out the !@# so following your thread. Wish I knew the answer to your question.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

I see a post titled GROSS PIC, I click and follow!

Looks like we've been getting into the tall grasses and/or not enough grit to break it down.

 

[Monkeysmom5018]

I see a post titled GROSS PIC, I click and follow!

Looks like we've been getting into the tall grasses and/or not enough grit to break it down.

I don’t offer grit as they free range quite a bit. Should I get some?

 

[Smuvers Farm]

I really don't know! OK, even grosser than the pic, but can you kind of pull it apart? See if it's some long, twisted grass or balled up short grass?

 

[AllenK RGV]

I don’t offer grit as they free range quite a bit. Should I get some?

You know I felt the same way but have noticed that they also are going crazy for the old grit I had offered as chicks(yep I'm lazy it is still sitting near a hose to be cleaned out and stored). Mine insist on free ranging but do like that grit so I will start offering it again when I make it to TSC on Tues.

 

[Monkeysmom5018]

I really don't know! OK, even grosser than the pic, but can you kind of pull it apart? See if it's some long, twisted grass or balled up short grass?

Seems like it’s long and short grasses. Very twisted in the middle. Scissors for size reference

 

[Monkeysmom5018]

You know I felt the same way but have noticed that they also are going crazy for the old grit I had offered as chicks(yep I'm lazy it is still sitting near a hose to be cleaned out and stored). Mine insist on free ranging but do like that grit so I will start offering it again when I make it to TSC on Tues.

I was just at TSC yesterday. I’ll have to get some grit soon I’m thinking.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

Yeah, I'd start scattering grit where they usually range OR put out a dish next to their food.

 

[coach723]

I would absolutely start offering grit free choice all the time. Eating too much long, fibrous grass can cause blockages. Some environments have lots of small rocks and pebbles and they are able to find enough, but some do not. It's not very expensive and better that it's there if they need it since not having enough can cause some serious problems. If they are getting the grass in an area that you can mow, then keeping the grass shorter is a good idea too.