Hens not pooping while inside?

[egz]

Hi everyone,

We have a curious bear cub so while we’re getting the electric fence up our 4 faverolles are sleeping inside in a large dog crate with shavings. They have another two nights to go (maybe three).

I woke up early to put them outside and none of them had pooped in the crate. They immediately let everything go as soon as they were outside. Honestly it was sort of impressive!

We’ve periodically had to keep one inside due to illness etc. and they pooped overnight then. They also of course poop overnight in their coop, even the stubborn one who sleeps in a nest box.

Is this normal/weird/dangerous for them? Are they feeling crowded? (They like to snuggle). Should we figure out a roosting situation so they’re off the floor? Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

 How old are they?

 

[HollowOfWisps]

How big is the dog crate and how long have they been in there at night?

 

[tranquiliti]

Hi everyone,

We have a curious bear cub so while we’re getting the electric fence up our 4 faverolles are sleeping inside in a large dog crate with shavings. They have another two nights to go (maybe three).

I woke up early to put them outside and none of them had pooped in the crate. They immediately let everything go as soon as they were outside. Honestly it was sort of impressive!

We’ve periodically had to keep one inside due to illness etc. and they pooped overnight then. They also of course poop overnight in their coop, even the stubborn one who sleeps in a nest box.

Is this normal/weird/dangerous for them? Are they feeling crowded? (They like to snuggle). Should we figure out a roosting situation so they’re off the floor? Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences!

I know you posted this 2 days ago, but I haven’t seen any recent updates.

Has anything changed during this time? What your scenario brought to my mind was the behavior of my own Guinea hens, whom I’d accidentally allowed to become broody on their clutch of eggs when I was preparing to graduate.

The article I’m linking below describes the phenomenon of broody poop (not verbatim, but the term is well-fitting). Under the heading “Getting and Identifying a Broody” you’ll see the 2nd paragraph describe behaviors which may include what you’ve observed in your Faverolles (sp?).

Of course, an essential criterion for this explanation would be the age of the hens (have you observed each of them laying eggs?).
—to throw in a side research project: you mentioned the birds “snuggling” and I’m going to do some reading on whether continued close contact of fowl may stimulate prolactin, which is the BROODY HORMONE that also decreases egg production. If it’s merely a prolactin surge that led to behavior changes such as rare large bowel movements, it could be interesting.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-letting-broody-hens-hatch-and-raise-chicks.65989/