Is this blackhead ?

[eggmandoo]

Hi. I've been a little concerned in the last few days with one or more of my five chickens passing yellow pooh. Research bought me across blackhead. This morning I've had a look at my chickens. 3 have bright red combes and wattles. But I noticed a darkening on the other two (black rock and bluebell). I've not looked closely before. Any opinions on whether this is natural or could this be black head. ?? I am going to the vet tomorrow with both chickens and stool samples

[/IMG]

 

[Eggcessive]

That looks like some damage or bruising from pecking or banging, but keep an eye on it since favus, a fungal infection could be possible. Favus usually looks white and chaulky and spreads to comb, wattles, face, and ears. Antifungal creams are used to treat that. But I have seen my roosters with the black and white mixed combs after tussling or challenging each other. Can you post some pictures of the yellow droppings? Blackhead is mostly a disease of turkeys. In chickens yellow droppings may be a sign of egg matter from internal laying, or bright yellow droppings may be a sign of E.coli infection. Visiting your vet for a fecal test with several fresh samples of droppings would be good to test for cecal worms (seen in blackhead,) other worms, coccidiosis, and ask about a gram stain for bacteria.

 

[eggmandoo]

That looks like some damage or bruising from pecking or banging, but keep an eye on it since favus, a fungal infection could be possible. Favus usually looks white and chaulky and spreads to comb, wattles, face, and ears. Antifungal creams are used to treat that. But I have seen my roosters with the black and white mixed combs after tussling or challenging each other. Can you post some pictures of the yellow droppings? Blackhead is mostly a disease of turkeys. In chickens yellow droppings may be a sign of egg matter from internal laying, or bright yellow droppings may be a sign of E.coli infection. Visiting your vet for a fecal test with several fresh samples of droppings would be good to test for cecal worms (seen in blackhead,) other worms, coccidiosis, and ask about a gram stain for bacteria.

Thanks for the reply. ill post a droppings pic shortly. i have just spent some time with my hens and I have seen all of them produce at least one normal pooh. there were other yellow ones as well, but not one was consistently producing them. There is one chick that has just come into lay. there were issues with soft shell eggs initially but the last 3 have been solid. she is laying one every 2 days. One hen is not in lay yet and the other three lay an egg daily. I am still going to get a dropping sample tested but I think without the droppings being yellow all the time, maybe there isn't a problem. All 5 appear happy and healthy. There is no lethargy at all. All seem to have healthy appetites.
Any thoughts?

 

[eggmandoo]

As requested

 

[casportpony]

As requested

When I see poop with bubbles like that I think coccidiosis or worms.

 

[casportpony]

Blackhead is not very common in chickens, and you say you have five pooping like that, so probably not blackhead.

 

[eggmandoo]

Ta. I'll take your reply on board.

 

[casportpony]

Ta. I'll take your reply on board.

Let us know that the vet says about the poop.

 

[Eggcessive]

Thanks for the reply. ill post a droppings pic shortly. i have just spent some time with my hens and I have seen all of them produce at least one normal pooh. there were other yellow ones as well, but not one was consistently producing them. There is one chick that has just come into lay. there were issues with soft shell eggs initially but the last 3 have been solid. she is laying one every 2 days. One hen is not in lay yet and the other three lay an egg daily. I am still going to get a dropping sample tested but I think without the droppings being yellow all the time, maybe there isn't a problem. All 5 appear happy and healthy. There is no lethargy at all. All seem to have healthy appetites.
Any thoughts?

It never hurts to get a fecal test done for worms and cocci. Sometimes I will see some golden cecal poops. I wouldn't worry about soft shell eggs in a brand new layer at first. Will look for what the fecal test shows.