Hen Stopped Laying and 'Water Poop'

[taralynnc]

First time chicken owner here and have had a pretty easy go of it. Lots of reading and trial and error - my 4 girls have been happy and healthy! All started laying at right about when they should and have been consistent up until recently.

It began when I noticed 'water poop' in the coop - and one less egg per day. Long story short, I figured it out to be Sage, my Barred Rock. Well I did all my research - they are not overcrowded and no stress that I can see. She is eating and drinking well and looks great. No behavior change that I can see other than no interest in laying or going in the coop other than to sleep.

I erred on the side of caution, afraid of coccidiosis and treated all with Corid - nothing has changed. I switched back to Purina food after a trial with Dumor (both 17% Protein for layers) - nothing has changed. I can try a dewormer but would think that the others would be affected as well? I am getting consistent 'water poop' from Sage - the others have healthy poop and are actively laying. They are about 8 mos. old now.

It has now been 2-3 weeks and I've come to accept that we will never see another egg - just want to ensure that she is healthy. Any ideas? So frusterating!

 

[Yardfulla poopers]

I hope someone can help more than I can. I had the same experience with a barred rock. Treated her for everything under the sun and she never laid again. She died at age 4.

 

[taralynnc]

I hope someone can help more than I can. I had the same experience with a barred rock. Treated her for everything under the sun and she never laid again. She died at age 4.

So sorry to hear that. Really very bizarre! Thank you for your input.

 

[aart]

Are you feeding anything else other than the chicken feed?
How long ago did you switch back to Purina and what kind?
Do they free range at all?

When I have a bird that is 'off' I isolate bird in a wire cage within the coop for a day or two....so I can closely monitor their intake of food and water, crop function(checking at night and in morning before providing more feed), and their poops. Feel their abdomen, from below vent to between legs, for squishy or hard swelling. Check for external parasites or any other abnormalities.

Best to put crate right in coop or run so bird is still 'with' the flock.
I like to use a fold-able wire dog crate (24"L x 18"W x 21"H) with smaller mesh(1x2) on bottom of crate under tray.
Then you can put tray underneath crate to better observe droppings without it being stepped in. If smaller mesh is carefully installed, tray can still be used inside crate.

 

[taralynnc]

Are you feeding anything else other than the chicken feed?
How long ago did you switch back to Purina and what kind?
Do they free range at all?

When I have a bird that is 'off' I isolate bird in a wire cage within the coop for a day or two....so I can closely monitor their intake of food and water, crop function(checking at night and in morning before providing more feed), and their poops. Feel their abdomen, from below vent to between legs, for squishy or hard swelling. Check for external parasites or any other abnormalities.

Best to put crate right in coop or run so bird is still 'with' the flock.
I like to use a fold-able wire dog crate (24"L x 18"W x 21"H) with smaller mesh(1x2) on bottom of crate under tray.
Then you can put tray underneath crate to better observe droppings without it being stepped in. If smaller mesh is carefully installed, tray can still be used inside crate.

Thank you for your input!

• Food other than chicken feed - treats - a handful here and there and a small salad in the AM. Salads, veggies, fruits, yogurt, oatmeal, scratch, mealworms, crickets, sunflower seeds
• I switched back to Purina Layena about 10 days ago.
• They 'free range' in a controlled area - mostly dirt now

I could isolate her but with only 4, I can monitor her pretty well. I have a pretty good handle on how much she is eating/drinking/pooping. Checking crop function is new to me - will have to read up on this one.

Still absolutely befuddled as to what could be going on!

 

[aart]

What breed is your juicy pooper?
Some birds don't so well with all the fruit and veg.
Might try cutting out everything but the layer feed for a week or two and see the results.

 

[taralynnc]

What breed is your juicy pooper?
Some birds don't so well with all the fruit and veg.
Might try cutting out everything but the layer feed for a week or two and see the results.

LOL "juicy pooper"! She is a Barred Rock. I would tend to agree except she was good all Summer with the same diet - laying regularly and normal poop!

 

[aart]

LOL "juicy pooper"! She is a Barred Rock. I would tend to agree except she was good all Summer with the same diet - laying regularly and normal poop!

Well, things can change.
I'd isolate to monitor input/output and check crop function.