Persistent diarrhea

[DallasLoneStar]

My chickens have had persistent watery diarrhea for weeks. Persistent as in it has stayed like this. But, I do see firm stools as well. Hard to say if it’s just some of the seven birds or all of them. I have seen at least three squirt it out. It seems like only during the day in the run. All the poop in the coop from nighttime is always firm. It is summer in Texas so yes it’s hot and I know when they drink a lot I have heard it can cause diarrhea. Is this normal in summer in Texas? I do give them frozen melon occasionally and most days I put a frozen milk jug in their water bowl in the afternoon. They have full shade in the afternoon and evening since the coop and run is in my six foot wide side yard on the east side of my house. They eat Purina organic layer pellets and most days I give them BOSS or meal worms when I let them out in the morning. The two that have started laying (the leghorns) have been laying every day no problems since they started a few weeks ago. The other five are not laying yet, but should start in the next 2-4 weeks. No squatting yet from them and combs are just barely starting to grow. I think they are 18 weeks now. The leghorns are 20 weeks old.

 

[DallasLoneStar]

Also, sorry forgot to mention there is zero blood so no cocci suspected. And I keep my run and coop extremely clean. Sand run and sand/PDZ coop. It hasn’t rained in a couple weeks either so bacteria load should be very low. I did have a rat problem for a bit but that is resolved and has been for at least a week.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Also, sorry forgot to mention there is zero blood so no cocci suspected.

I've never had a coccidiosis outbreak that exhibited that classic symptom. Every time I've had coccidiosis, the parasite killed without any blood in the stool.

I suspect it's weather-related. @aart? what do you think?

 

[aart]

Lots of water drinking in hot weather goes right thru them to shed heat from body.
The melon probably contributed too, why I don't feed melon flesh anymore, just the rind with a bit of flesh left on.

These are my hot weather go to's:
Deep all day shade is best but....not much of that here...so...

I give a dose of Sav-a-Chick electrolytes/vitamins about once a week during heat waves. It really seems to help....started this after they saved a heat stroked hen once.
Can mix up a smaller amount, just wrap the packet tight and store in a dry cool place. Always have plain water available too.

BIG(9x14x2") chunks of ice last all day for wading, sitting, and sipping.
Much more useful to the chickens than frozen foods and treats.

Make space in your freezer!

 

[DallasLoneStar]

Ok thanks guys. Maybe it is weather/heat then. I do just give the melon rinds after freezing them. Also I have been giving the sav a chick electrolytes every few days for several weeks.

Others in very hot places like Texas, do your girls mostly poop liquid all summer during the daytime? They have no other symptoms other than possibly seeming a little bony but I don’t have a good point of reference. This is my first flock.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

Could worms do this?

 

[aart]

Others in very hot places like Texas, do your girls mostly poop liquid all summer during the daytime?

@Texas Kiki ??

 

[Kiki]

@Texas Kiki ??

No my birds do not poop watery/liquidy at all.

 

[Kiki]

My chickens have had persistent watery diarrhea for weeks. Persistent as in it has stayed like this. But, I do see firm stools as well. Hard to say if it’s just some of the seven birds or all of them. I have seen at least three squirt it out. It seems like only during the day in the run. All the poop in the coop from nighttime is always firm. It is summer in Texas so yes it’s hot and I know when they drink a lot I have heard it can cause diarrhea. Is this normal in summer in Texas? I do give them frozen melon occasionally and most days I put a frozen milk jug in their water bowl in the afternoon. They have full shade in the afternoon and evening since the coop and run is in my six foot wide side yard on the east side of my house. They eat Purina organic layer pellets and most days I give them BOSS or meal worms when I let them out in the morning. The two that have started laying (the leghorns) have been laying every day no problems since they started a few weeks ago. The other five are not laying yet, but should start in the next 2-4 weeks. No squatting yet from them and combs are just barely starting to grow. I think they are 18 weeks now. The leghorns are 20 weeks old.

Stop ALL treats and water treatments and give it a few days and then report back if the poop firmed up or not.

 

[DallasLoneStar]

Ok thanks, will do! They will be pissed though haha