Picking at Poop

[Lumley Farm]

After successfully introducing a new hen to my girl, I noticed the younger one pecking and ingesting some of the white matter. Anyone have anything to say about this? My Astralorpe is completely healthy, regular egg layer, eats a rounded diet and has intermittent free range. Don't know what else to say about this.

 

[cavemanrich]

Chicken will peck their gumdrop, especially the white portion. I think that is a source of calcium that is ejected as excess, but not 100% sure. I'm not a scientist, but have suspicions of being right about this.
Healthy chickens will not get sick eating poop dropped by other healthy chickens. I think the issues do develop when chickens are sick, and do drop some nasties. I also think that those nasties are not that often desirable to be munched on by other chickens.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

 

[aart]

I think that is a source of calcium that is ejected as excess, but not 100% sure.

White part is the urates, because chickens don't pee.
Not sure why a bird would eat it.

After successfully introducing a new hen to my girl, I noticed the younger one pecking and ingesting some of the white matter. Anyone have anything to say about this? My Astralorpe is completely healthy, regular egg layer, eats a rounded diet and has intermittent free range. Don't know what else to say about this.

So 2 birds total, what are their ages?
Which one is the new one?
Which bird is eating whose poops?
Is it happening frequently or did you just see it once?

 

[cavemanrich]

White part is the urates, because chickens don't pee.
Not sure why a bird would eat it.

Thanks for the clarification
aart

 

[Lumley Farm]

White part is the urates, because chickens don't pee.
Not sure why a bird would eat it.


So 2 birds total, what are their ages?
Which one is the new one?
Which bird is eating whose poops?
Is it happening frequently or did you just see it once?

Sorry its been awhile....the Astralorpe is younger by 9months (guessing). They are the only two together. It happened more than once in the beginning, but now I have not noticed this at all. Sorry for the confusion. I think Jaima was just curious. She eats anything (A-Lorpe). The new gal (Barred Rock )was living with about 30 other hens, and has successfully learned to eat the same varied diet. So the problem no longer exists.

 

[aart]

I've seen chicks peck at poop, they usually fling and wipe their beaks rather violently to get it off.