Help ID poop problem-course of action.

[WilliamC]

Its been raining recently and the past week all of our chickens have had loose poo. One hen, Butters, is very different and runny. They have clean disinfected water containers, clean fresh food and clean feeders. I have seen them sipping out of puddles anyway.
I went on the site and looked at all the poo samples but i cant find one like Butters. I dont really see undigested food in it. No gas when she goes. Sometimes it has alot of white in it, sometimes what you see in the picture.
All were wormed in September with a 5 day coarse of Cordin later followed by a week of probiotics.
She is molting, comb seems to be on the pale side. Her appetite is still pretty high. I gave her some oats, grits, greens and other things to give it some bulk and maybe firm it up some and she will eat some but her main interest is getting out and digging for bugs and worms.Very much into that at the moment. With what i have seen her eat i would expect to see more bulk in the poo.
I have tried probiotics with no good results. She just finished molting and is growing alot of feathers back. She isnt acting sick but if this is an issue i want to address it before it gets worse.
Any help would be appreciated
Thanks again!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

All were wormed in September with a 5 day coarse of Cordin...I gave her some oats, grits, greens and other things to give it some bulk and maybe firm it up

Hi @WilliamC

You mention Cordin? Do you mean Corid (Amprolium)?
Corid is a Coccidiostat used to treat Coccidiosis. It is not a worming medication.

Having a fecal float performed by your vet is a good idea if you suspect worms. If you are wanting to treat your flock for worms, then you can use a de-wormer like Valbazen or Fenbendazole (Safeguard/panacur). Both of these can be purchased online or at most feed stores like Tractor Supply.

What type of poultry feed do you normally feed?
How old is Butters?

The poop in the photo is fairly firm to me - I do see quite a bit of liquid surrounding it, but that could be from drinking a lot of water.
Molting can be very hard on them - so they do seem to go off feed and become picky eaters. Provide her with her normal feed and some extra protein like egg, tuna or meat.
Poultry vitamins a couple of days a week during molt may give her a boost as well.

 

[Isaac 0]

I agree,It would be good to send a Fecal Smear or Flotation in to a local avian vet office.

Polyurates are usually produced because of decreased Food consumption.I would suspect parasites.What Wormer did you use?And at what Dose?

 

[WilliamC]

Hi @WilliamC

You mention Cordin? Do you mean Corid (Amprolium)?
Corid is a Coccidiostat used to treat Coccidiosis. It is not a worming medication.

Having a fecal float performed by your vet is a good idea if you suspect worms. If you are wanting to treat your flock for worms, then you can use a de-wormer like Valbazen or Fenbendazole (Safeguard/panacur). Both of these can be purchased online or at most feed stores like Tractor Supply.

What type of poultry feed do you normally feed?
How old is Butters?

The poop in the photo is fairly firm to me - I do see quite a bit of liquid surrounding it, but that could be from drinking a lot of water.
Molting can be very hard on them - so they do seem to go off feed and become picky eaters. Provide her with her normal feed and some extra protein like egg, tuna or meat.
Poultry vitamins a couple of days a week during molt may give her a boost as well.

Yes, i meant Corid. Float test showed Coccidiosis and round worm eggs. I used Corid in the water for 5 days than I dosed individually with Valbazen based on each chickens body weight repeating 10 days later. I plan to do this every spring after the rains than in the late fall. (Thanks for the advice from everyone on the site concerning that issue!)
They are a bit over 2 years old now. Butters and the rooster are Buff Orpington
I did try to supplement with fish but they wernt really into it. We have cooked eggs for them the past 2 days. Seems she was looking for more protein. I have been trying to "listen" to what she has been telling me and looking for ways to increase protein to help with feather production. Once you get to know an animal you get a feel for what seems normal and what does not. The loose stools had me concerned. Besides the probiotics i have been using electrolytes to replace what she is loosing in the stool.
They will drink from a puddle but put some Big ole Bird in the water and they turn their beaks up! Even Rooster Booster brand they get picky over. Spoiled.
They are on Purina Layena Plus Omega now.

These are my daughters chickens. We have 4 hens and one rooster. She left for college this fall and though i have been involved with them from the start she knew much more about chicken health.

 

[WilliamC]

I agree,It would be good to send a Fecal Smear or Flotation in to a local avian vet office.

Polyurates are usually produced because of decreased Food consumption.I would suspect parasites.What Wormer did you use?And at what Dose?

Odd because Butters has been eating. Only not so much her feed as what i bring her such as greens or oats or when i walk them in the evenings around the yard. She does gobble up cooked egg. So her appetite is fine, just WHAT she wants is selective right now.
Is there a particular feed to use while molting? They are on Purina Layena Plus Omega now. 2 weeks ago they couldnt get enough. Now? She pecks at it, thats about it.
As for worming please see my reply to Wyorp Rock above. I dosed based on weight and the formula provided by everyone here.

 

[coach723]

If your birds are molting then you can switch to a higher protein feed like a flock raiser (18% protein) and it may help. Just make sure that they have oyster shell free choice all the time in a separate dish or feeder. Those that need the calcium will take what they need, and those not currently laying will not need the extra. I feed flock raiser all the time with oyster shell on the side, my older birds and roo's don't need the extra calcium, nor do my birds in molt that aren't laying. I also give feather fixer pellets (also 18%) as a 'treat' instead of scratch, I guess because it looks different they think it's a treat anyway. I mix it about 1/2 and 1/2 with sunflower seeds. And as Wyorp Rock said, they can feel off and be a little picky sometimes during molt. All of mine would rather drink from a puddle than a waterer. They go crazy in the hose every morning while I'm doing water. No accounting for bird brains!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Some chickens just don't like the taste of vitamins. What I do, if I want one bird to have extra - I give her chopped egg with the vitamins dripped on top - mine will take it that way if hand fed (I move the bird where we are one-on-one). Once she has had her vitamin/egg treat, back with the flock she goes.

My molting girls are extremely picky, so if Butters is molting, this is most likely why she's not eating what you want her to. Check her over gently for lice/mites and feel her crop to make sure she is going to bed with something in her crop. My molters usually don't have a really full crop at night for a week or so.