Hens with Diarrhea

[jwankowski]

One or more of my hens seems to have occasional diarrhea. Is this normal or a sign of illness? If a sign of illness, what should I treat for? Any ideas?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

One or more of my hens seems to have occasional diarrhea. Is this normal or a sign of illness? If a sign of illness, what should I treat for? Any ideas?

Can you post a photo of what you are seeing?
What do you feed including treats?
Consistency of poop can vary widely depending on what a hen eats and how much they drink.
Is it diarrhea or loose stool? Chickens for the most part have 2 types of poop - Normal and Cecal. "Normal" is usually formed while Cecal is a loose stinky poop.

How are your hens acting? Eating/Drinking/Active? Behavior is something I go by as well as making observations of poop, inspecting them for lice/mites, etc.
Personally if it's occasional loose poop and no one is acting sick, I would not treat.
IF the poop is frequent, then getting a fecal float or re-evaluating diet would be a good idea.

You may also find this helpful.
https://the-chicken-chick.com/whats-scoop-on-chicken-poop-digestive/

 

[dawg53]

If they are at point of laying eggs, ensure you're feeding them a good quality layer feed. Cut back on treats and veggies etc...Ensure they have free choice crushed oyster shells and grit available.
If it's hot weather where you live, birds will drink more water and you'll see watery diarrhea.
Ensure coop bedding is cleaned, poop removed in pens regularly, provide fresh clean drinking water at all times.
In addition to what @Wyorp Rock stated, I dont believe you're dealing with a disease of any sort, just that their diet might be out of balance.
Give them plain boiled white rice mixed with buttermilk for a couple days, mix it in their layer feed if you wish. That'll help get their digestive tract get back on track and help prevent diarrhea. Dont use yogurt.

 

[jwankowski]

I feed a mixture of Purina Layena pellets and crumbles. Treats have been greens, sunflower seed, and grapes so far, and only occasionally. Stool is watery but not for all hen's. I will try to attach a picture.
We are going from hot, dry weather to cold, rainy weather and that may have something to do with it. Chickens have a large coop and run area,do not free range. They eat well and are very active.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I feed a mixture of Purina Layena pellets and crumbles. Treats have been greens, sunflower seed, and grapes so far, and only occasionally. Stool is watery but not for all hen's. I will try to attach a picture.
We are going from hot, dry weather to cold, rainy weather and that may have something to do with it. Chickens have a large coop and run area,do not free range. They eat well and are very active.

Looks like Cecal poop to me.

 

[dawg53]

Wyorp Rock is correct, it's cecal poop. Cecal poop is normal about every 8 to 10 droppings, and it stinks badly.
Cut back on the greens and grapes. Deter your birds from drinking out of nasty mudpuddles. Sand is best.