Poo that looks like chocolate syrup

[Kanga77510]

There's a weird poo in the pen where I keep my babies. It's runny and dark chocolate colored. Never seen this kind of poo before with them. Do they need worming meds? I'm not sure of their exact ages, but we've had them nearly seven weeks.

 

[PunkinPeep]

It sounds like some caecal poop to me.

 

[Kanga77510]

ANyone ever tried to worm chickens with garlic? Sounds interesting to me. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1806628/worming_chickens_naturally.html?cat=5

 

[kees]

What's caecal poop?

Suzy

 

[PunkinPeep]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=113244

Here is a thread that will probably explain it a lot better than i will. There are links to pictures and further explanations i think also.

 

[teach1rusl]

I've been to that site several times and it still confuses me. I'll see some runny poop and think "Okay...is that oily runny or foamy runny?" I have a bird or two who'll do what the OP described, like chocolate syrup, but it apprears oily-ish to me, not foamy. So then I get worried and think that maybe I should worm them just in case. But some say you should only worm if you actually see worms???? Mine do eat pumpkin seeds, which I've read is supposed to be a natural wormer, and I do sprinkle a little DE in their crumbles sometimes...???? It's very confusing...

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I suspect that you are seeing ceceal poo. If your birds are of good weight and healthy, I wouldn't worry about it too much. If it really concerns you, most vets will do a fecal float test for worms for around $5.
When someone describes chicken poo as looking like chocolate syrup, ceceal poo automatically jumps in my head.
DE and pumpkin seeds work more as worm preventives than actual wormers, IMO. If I had an actual confirmed worm infestation I'd use the wormers that are sure to get rid of it. Others feel it's not necessary to worm. It's all an individual thing. I worm my dogs and cats once a year, my chickens are getting wormed once a year too.

 

[TipsyDog]

Is the poop like chocolate pudding? If so, it's normal. I HATE that poop - always the most difficult to clean up after

 

[Robin'sBrood]

^ And the stinkiest!

 

[teach1rusl]

Quote:
Seems a little ironic that when we try to describe the poop, we always resort to food analogies...lol. I'll have to look closer to see whether it's more like chocolate syrup or chocolate pudding...
Gritsar - does it have to be a bird/specialty vet, or can any vet check the fecal sample???