green diarrhea

[ChickenMorals]

Went out to my flock today to realize that they're having very liquidy diarrhea. It is green, black, and white, and there is a ton of it. Checked their bums: their feathers are all sticky and caked with it! It's dried, so I think it's been going on for a while. Please keep in mind these aren't my chickens, they're my school's. I'm caring for them. I'm not sure if they have abnormally protein filled food that's causing this- I don't buy it. It's def not cocci, as they're acting completely normally otherwise. I can try and change their feed if necessary.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

@Eggcessive

 

[ChickenMorals]

I still need help with this!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

@Wyorp Rock

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Went out to my flock today to realize that they're having very liquidy diarrhea. It is green, black, and white, and there is a ton of it. Checked their bums: their feathers are all sticky and caked with it! It's dried, so I think it's been going on for a while. Please keep in mind these aren't my chickens, they're my school's. I'm caring for them. I'm not sure if they have abnormally protein filled food that's causing this- I don't buy it. It's def not cocci, as they're acting completely normally otherwise. I can try and change their feed if necessary.

Can you post some photos of the chickens, the poop, their housing/environment and the feed (label/bag) you are using?
How old are they?
Are you a student of the school or a teacher - is this an FFA or 4-H project?
How often are the chickens tended to - are they watered and fed everyday, how often is the housing cleaned?
Do they get fed anything else besides poultry feed- scraps, vegetables, etc.?

Do you have vet care available - if so, that would be best.

Green poop is sometimes associate with infection, malnutrition, worms or coccidiosis.
If they are eating a LOT of green veggies, then the poop could have a green tint as well.

Having sticky caked on feces is not good for them - is there a way to clean them up - they would need to be dried thoroughly before placing them back outside since temperature are cooling off - don't want them to get chilled.

Check the feed to see if it's a complete poultry feed that is appropriate for the age of chickens you have. Look at the date to make sure it's not too old and give it a look for any signs of mold or see if it smells rancid.

When we get more information, we may be able to assist you better.

 

[MeyMus]

Did you feed them lettuce?

 

[micstrachan]

Yes, please more information. Wyorp Rock has some good points. It sounds like this is affecting all the chickens. How many are there? I agree they need to be cleaned up asap. They may need some supportive care (electrolytes & vitamins in their water) until you figure out what’s going on. Do they feel skinny? Feathers can hide weight loss.

 

[ChickenMorals]

Can you post some photos of the chickens, the poop, their housing/environment and the feed (label/bag) you are using?
Honestly, I would but some kids stole the entire feed bag yesterday! More is arriving tomorrow. I'll try to get photos of the poop. Their coop is around 8 feet by 10 feet, and there are 5 chickens. If I could get them a bigger coop, I would, but I have 0 control over this
How old are they?
3 and a half
Are you a student of the school or a teacher - is this an FFA or 4-H project?
I'm a student, and this is a... idk... the funds for caring for the chickens are through the school, but it's a weird setup. It isn't 4-H.
How often are the chickens tended to - are they watered and fed everyday, how often is the housing cleaned?
Watered and fed everyday by me, deep coop clean twice a year, bedding changed every 3 months or so.
Do they get fed anything else besides poultry feed- scraps, vegetables, etc.?
YES. A group of kids is feeding them Cheetos and soda! They have a pending suspension from school for this right now, but kids feed them all sorts of sh*t!
Do you have vet care available - if so, that would be best.
Yes.

Green poop is sometimes associate with infection, malnutrition, worms or coccidiosis.
If they are eating a LOT of green veggies, then the poop could have a green tint as well.
Kids feed them tons of tomato leaves, which are part of the Nightshade family, therefore bad for them, so that could be causing it.

Having sticky caked on feces is not good for them - is there a way to clean them up - they would need to be dried thoroughly before placing them back outside since temperature are cooling off - don't want them to get chilled.

Check the feed to see if it's a complete poultry feed that is appropriate for the age of chickens you have. Look at the date to make sure it's not too old and give it a look for any signs of mold or see if it smells rancid.

When we get more information, we may be able to assist you better.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

o they get fed anything else besides poultry feed- scraps, vegetables, etc.?
YES. A group of kids is feeding them Cheetos and soda! They have a pending suspension from school for this right now, but kids feed them all sorts of sh*t!

This may be your main problem right here. While chickens can eat lots of things - it is best for them to have regular poultry feed along with a little scratch and/or fresh fruits/vegetables.

Is there a way to lock the pen so the kids don't have access to the chickens or not be able to toss these things to them?
Since this is a school funded project - it's best that you approach the administrator of the project and calmly state your concerns.

Having your vet check them out is a good idea since there is one available.

 

[ChickenMorals]

I added a lock to their coop door, and a sign that says:

Please leave the chickens alone!

-Don’t poke them with sticks, they don’t like it.

-Don’t feed them weird food. It makes them sick.

-Don’t let them out unless you have permission from Tyler.

-Don’t go in their coop unless you have permission from Tyler.

-Don’t harass them in any way.

(Tyler is the teacher who manages the chickens. I talked to him about this, and the kids have been told to stop 4 times already!!)

They were eating their eggs but some calcium grit fixed that right away. They've been neglected for years and I'm very new to chickens, so please bear with me!