Help, I am concerned about my pullets droppings, possible diarrhea - unknown cause

[Bongoline]

I have 5 9 week pullets who are all having these kind of caramel colored droppings that seem possibly a bit mucus-y. This has been going on for a few weeks and because they all seem very active and healthy and I saw no blood in their droppings I figured it was just their cecal poos. However looking at their droppings this morning I am concerned and wanted to get some other opinions, they are also having very normal looking chicken poos in addition to the caramel colored ones. Thank you so much and apologies for the yucky photos.

 

[Bongoline]

Im wondering if anyone can give me advice on what to do, my pullets clearly have diarrhea but it doesnt seem like cocciodosis bc I am not seeing blood in their feces. They truly seem very healthy and active, could it be from stress? One of the older hens has really been bullying them. I really want to provide the best care for my hens but I dont want to indiscriminately treat them with Corrid or other medicines if I can avoid doing that. I have inspected their droppings for worms and didnt see any signs of that. Please help if you can.

 

[MarlaMac]

Im wondering if anyone can give me advice on what to do, my pullets clearly have diarrhea but it doesnt seem like cocciodosis bc I am not seeing blood in their feces. They truly seem very healthy and active, could it be from stress? One of the older hens has really been bullying them. I really want to provide the best care for my hens but I dont want to indiscriminately treat them with Corrid or other medicines if I can avoid doing that. I have inspected their droppings for worms and didnt see any signs of that. Please help if you can.

Are you able to take a stool sample to a local vet for a float test? Usually any vet will do it, it doesn't have to be a avian vet. Cocciodosis does not always present with blood in the stools. The float test will also rule out any other parasites that might be in the stool.

The cost is usually manageable. The last one I had done was $15.

Seeing that these poos are urate free - they may, in fact, be cecal poo. A float test will give you a piece of mind that comes with knowing - one way or the other.

How hot is it where you are? If it is hot, then they will be drinking more water. More water ingested means wetter poo.

Just some thoughts, but I would start with a fecal float test just for the peace of mind it will bring.

 

[thecatumbrella]

They look like cecals to me. I've found mine deposit quite the variety. When they're extra excited, it will come out more liquidy and yellow like your top photo. Otherwise, it's varying shade of caramel, sometimes even attached to a normal poop.

If these are the only droppings you're finding, that's a problem. Cecals should be something like 1 in 10 poops (I think?).

 

[chickengr]

whatever it is make herbal tea: the same parts of oregano, basil and thyme (I put little hot pepper flakes as well). mix that tea with their water for 3-5 days. I do that and keep chicks, turkey poults and ducklings in the same brooder. it prevents/heal cocci and other intestinal issues.

if on dirt your chickens might have worms. this tea will help to expel them.

 

[Bongoline]

Thank you for all the replies and feedback. I will look into a fecal float test today, I’d love to know what’s up and that is news to me that coccidiosis can present without blood.

We had two weeks of highs above 90 degrees where I live so I was trying to not be reactive to their diarrhea then, however since the weather has cooled quite a bit and I was still seeing these type of droppings I don’t want to ignore a possible problem.

They are having very normal looking poos in addition to the ones I photographed however I am a bit concerned because it seems like these wetter droppings are more frequent than I would expect for cecal droppings.

 

[Eggcessive]

How are they acting? Do you see any who are lethargic, standing puffed up or hunched, or not eating?

 

[Bongoline]

How are they acting? Do you see any who are lethargic, standing puffed up or hunched, or not eating?

Overall they all seem very healthy and active, which is why I don’t want to start any medicine till I’m confident in what is going on. There is one who I am watching closely as she can hang back from the group as they move around the coop and free range however I think it is just because she has a more skittish or fearful temperament and has REALLY not enjoyed the bullying from her older silkie sister as the pullets have been integrating into my established flock.

 

[Beau plus penny]

I have 5 9 week pullets who are all having these kind of caramel colored droppings that seem possibly a bit mucus-y. This has been going on for a few weeks and because they all seem very active and healthy and I saw no blood in their droppings I figured it was just their cecal poos. However looking at their droppings this morning I am concerned and wanted to get some other opinions, they are also having very normal looking chicken poos in addition to the caramel colored ones. Thank you so much and apologies for the yucky photos.

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CORRID IMMEDIATELY watery droppings are always the first sign of coccid

 

[SJsChickies]

CORRID IMMEDIATELY watery droppings are always the first sign of coccid

I’m curious about this cause no one else mentioned it. Some of my girls randomly throughout the day have loose droppings the last few weeks but are acting completely normal too.