new poop question

[frankenchick]

I have read a lot about chicken poop, and what different colors/consistencies signify, but none seem to address the question I have.

I have 5 NHR pullets and 20 Rocks (for meat). I work hard to keep their coop, feeders, and water clean.

Lately, somebody’s been pooping stuff that looks like dirty motor oil. I have been watching the chickens poop [yeah, well, entertainment’s where ya find it out here . . .], but can’t find the one(s) who are making this nasty stuff.

The Rocks are 7 weeks old and should be heading to the freezer SOON. Would anything suggested by this poop preclude eating them?

None of the chickens are lethargic or acting strangely. I did notice that 2 of the Rocks are not as big as the others. Possibles?

TIA

 

[Poison Ivy]

I am interested in someone's answer myself. I have one that does that too. I think it might one of my EE's but not real sure. I have had her for over a year and she has never looked sick. But i'm not 100% sure its that one.

 

[Jsto]

I don't have anything definite to say as I'm no expert, but did come up with some stuff in searching for a similar problem. I noticed what looked like diarrhea, medium brown, kind of grainy in my brooder and worried over it. Found this post: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=2242 . Could possibly be that, but I'd say watch the chicks to see who the culprit is.

I watched for hours and noticed that all the chicks did it every one in a while (not really frequently), but they also pooped normally.

 

[Queen of the Lilliputians]

This may not help

since your babies are older than mine.

But I did notice that if I took them into a new environment (which could be as simple as I let them run around on the kitchen floor with me) and they were a little stressed I got the very liquid brown poops from nearly all of them. As soon as they were back in the brooder and comfy once more, they were back to normal. I was pretty worried at the time, and did a huge web search on it.. and pretty much freaked myself out thinking they were sick LOL!

Meghan

 

[frankenchick]

Thanks for the link and the other answers.

All the chicks seem happy and energetic -- especially when it's time to go into the coop for the night! -- so I'm thinking that this may just be the yucky cecal fluid I read about.

We have been having freaky weather here (82 deg. one day, 53 deg. the next with frost in between) and they have been foraging more, so there is probably some stress there, too.

Thanks again, I'll keep you posted.