PLEASE HELP I DON"T KNOW WHAT TO DO

[black_cat]

Did you notice whether it looked like an earthworm?

If you see another one, take a good look and maybe a picture as well.

If you do not ever see another one, then you can probably assume it was an earthworm, and not worry. (Because no matter what kind of worm, just one isn't a big deal.)

It's also possible to take a fecal sample to a vet to be checked for worm eggs and other parasites, although I wouldn't bother unless you have other evidence first (like if the chickens are not healthy, or you see more worms and they are not earthworms.)

Ok. It looked pretty much like an earthworm. Because I've had them for such a short time, I really have no base standard of 'healthy' for them. They still aren't laying eggs. Should I replace all the bedding in the coop tomorrow? Would that be good? I'm going to replace the feeder that we were given with a milk jug feeder. I think that it will hold more food and prevent any poop getting in the food.
Edit: I just remembered that there is some diarrhea that I can see in the run. I have no way to tell which bird this is from, but I could try to look at their vent feathers, I guess.

 

[jewelg]

Perhaps you could put your whole coop inside a chain link dog run? Put some netting over the top and you can let them out in the run for extra space without worrying about them flying out. Sometimes you can find used dog kennels or panels pretty cheap on craigslist and similar places.

i’ve also been finding a lot of things in FaceBook Marketplace- google it and you’ll get to the url. There are a lot of dog kennels and big enclosures on there in my area (Los Angeles)- maybe you’ll find something helpful in your neck of the woods. Keep breathing and hang in there- these are early days for you, your chickens, and your coop. You’re all adapting and adjusting, and it takes this time of discomfort and inconvenience to learn what is and is not working. Then you have the knowledge to change it over the next few days/weeks/months, etc. the learning never stops, right?

 

[black_cat]

i’ve also been finding a lot of things in FaceBook Marketplace- google it and you’ll get to the url. There are a lot of dog kennels and big enclosures on there in my area (Los Angeles)- maybe you’ll find something helpful in your neck of the woods. Keep breathing and hang in there- these are early days for you, your chickens, and your coop. You’re all adapting and adjusting, and it takes this time of discomfort and inconvenience to learn what is and is not working. Then you have the knowledge to change it over the next few days/weeks/months, etc. the learning never stops, right?

I don't think chain link dog kennel is gonna happen, sadly. We did get an extension for the run, though! Yep, I'd say I've definitely learned a lot over the last few days, and figured a lot of stuff out.

 

[aart]

I didn't take a picture before dumping it out,

...but you will remember next time.
Always take pics of things that concern you, it's much easier for us to help if we can see what you are seeing.

 

[priscillaJ]

If for some reason they didn't go in, try to enlist another person, go into the run, close the gate behind you, and then slowly and calmly try to gather each up and put inside for the night. Chickens are "night blind" - they can not see very well in the dark, so it's easier to capture them. I'm not going to say they will be calm, because they probably won't, but if you remain calm and just speak softly to them, it will help.

I have had very good luck herding chickens with a little squirt gun in each hand and standing back about 10 feet! It works well to get them to change directions. Hope no one thinks that is real mean! I only did it once.

 

[black_cat]

...but you will remember next time.
Always take pics of things that concern you, it's much easier for us to help if we can see what you are seeing.

I will remember next time! I'll take a pic of some of the poop that I'm seeing in the run. I don't think that it's normal.

 

[aart]

I will remember next time! I'll take a pic of some of the poop that I'm seeing in the run. I don't think that it's normal.

There are lots of 'normals'.

Good visual references for all kinds of poops,
just don't jump to any terrible conclusions too quickly:

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/02/whats-scoop-on-chicken-poop-digestive.html

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/?topic=17568.0

 

[black_cat]

There are lots of 'normals'.

Good visual references for all kinds of poops,
just don't jump to any terrible conclusions too quickly:

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/02/whats-scoop-on-chicken-poop-digestive.html

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/?topic=17568.0

Thank you so much for those! I was freaking out over nothing with the poop, thankfully. I'm so glad because now I don't have to worry! I think that I was just seeing more of it than seemed normal because they're all in such a small space.

 

[NatJ]

Should I replace all the bedding in the coop tomorrow? Would that be good?

If it's dirty, that would be good. If it looks and smells clean enough, then it probably IS clean enough. If the worm you saw looked like an earthworm, that is probably what it was-- and you don't need to carefully clean on account of earthworms.

 

[black_cat]

If it's dirty, that would be good. If it looks and smells clean enough, then it probably IS clean enough. If the worm you saw looked like an earthworm, that is probably what it was-- and you don't need to carefully clean on account of earthworms.

It looks dirty enough that I may as well. I think that it's going to be hard to keep it clean without completely replacing it frequently, because of the amount of chickens doesn't work with the square footage, that way the poop is waaaaaaay more concentrated.