Poop changes with molting?

[micstrachan]

So I’m stuck in a mode where I am trying to help those with less experience, yet am still at the less experienced end of the spectrum and have so much to learn from those with more. Thank you for your help.
Now that I have become a regular poop inspector and have narrowed down which two are having irregular poops, I see it’s my two molting girls. The one coming out of molt has darker, wetter poops. The one going into molt has BRIGHT green poop, like a chicken not eating much, which she isn’t. Her crop is empty lately and she’s making her pissed off vocalizations. Is there anything to worry about here or do both of these scenarios sound normal? Overall, I think the flock might be a little onthe thin side, and there are a few mildly messyfluffy butts. Eggs are clean. Everyone else’s poops are well formed. Three hens in their second year (two of which are the molters) and six first year girls (still considered pullets even though laying?)
Their diet is organic layer crumble. Occasional treats of live super worms, sunflower seeds, greek yogurt, or organic kale. Grit and oyster shell available free choice. Run space is about 250 square feet, plus they get at least a little free range time daily. Flock integration seemscomplete and harmonious, though that was a loooong process.
I think that covers it. Oh! One mire thing. My green-pooped molting girl is my most robust girl, Bridgette, my barred rock. She also had a partial molt in the new year, so this seems a little soon to molt again. I appreciate any advice.

 

[bex9988]

Some of my chickens also have a more runny poop than a solid poop. I've never had any problems with them. They're happy and healthy. I would offer some treats today and as long as everyone is eating and drinking with no obvious signs of sickness then all should be well and you shouldn't have anything to worry about. I hope this helps?

 

[AllynTal]

I would lay off the treats while they're molting. They need protein right now and treats displace the nutritionally balanced feed. You can switch to a higher protein feed for a while, I use 22% meatbird feed to get that protein boost. Have you checked for parasites? Molting puts a strain on their systems to begin with and if they're carrying an excess parasite load, that will stress them even more. I would check for external parasites, take a fecal sample to the vet do to a fecal float test (even if the vet doesnt do chickens, they'll usually run a fecal float test for you for a nominal charge) to check for internal parasites, and up the amount of protein they're getting while they molt, and if the daily temps are below 85 degrees F, add a little AVC (with mother) to their water once a week as a proactive measure for the poopy butts.

And yes, they're still considered 'pullets' until they're a year old, even if they're laying.

 

[coach723]

There is a vast array of 'normal' both for droppings and for molting. Some birds just have runnier droppings, or 'lazy behinds' that don't push it out quite as hard, and that causes dirty feathers. So while changes in droppings or runny droppings can be a health indicator, it is only one part of the puzzle. Sometimes they just don't feel real good during molt. I would just be observant and make sure you don't see any other indications of illness. If they seem fine otherwise then it could just be the molt. Keeping stress to a minimum is important also as molting is hard work and can weaken their immune system a bit, try not to to change things to much for them during molt as it will add to their stress. As the previous poster said, a fecal float test is a good idea to rule out a internal parasite problem which could cause runny droppings, and raising the protein level in the feed can help with feather growth. For the hen/pullet question, terms are kind of interchangeable and most of the time when answering questions the actual age is going to be the most important to know :

• Started pullets- a hen that is 15-22 weeks old.
• Point of lay chicken – a 22 week old hen (this is an estimate as they are not machines and will start to lay approximately around this time-true point of lay is when they actually start to lay).
• Pullet- a hen that is less than a year old.
• Hen - a female chicken

 

[micstrachan]

Thanks for your replies! Does a fecal sample have to be in any certain condition when I bringit in? How fresh? Can it have touched the ground?

 

[coach723]

It can have touched the ground, but preferably as clean as possible. If you have a droppings board then some picked up from over night would be fresh enough. You could also crate one of the birds that has suspicious droppings long enough to get a good sample from that particular bird since not all of them are in question, I just put a clean towel down to catch it. If it's one bird in particular that you are concerned about then that is what I would do do ensure I'm getting the correct droppings sample. I usually carry them in in a ziplock baggie, you can use any clean container. You can also ask your vet if they have a preference.

 

[micstrachan]

Thanks. I have six almost-30-week old pullets and three 1 2/3 (ish) year old hens. The two in question are in the “hen” group. Didn’t see any abnormal droppings this morning, but they feel a little thin to me. It woukd be awesome if there were a local knowledgable chicken lover who could teach me how to access breast muscke thickness. I can feel everyone’s keel bone. The most pronounced one is on my Brown Leghorn, Margo, who is a lean bread to begin with and lost weight during molt.

 

[KerryC]

So I’m stuck in a mode where I am trying to help those with less experience, yet am still at the less experienced end of the spectrum and have so much to learn from those with more. Thank you for your help.
Now that I have become a regular poop inspector and have narrowed down which two are having irregular poops, I see it’s my two molting girls. The one coming out of molt has darker, wetter poops. The one going into molt has BRIGHT green poop, like a chicken not eating much, which she isn’t. Her crop is empty lately and she’s making her pissed off vocalizations. Is there anything to worry about here or do both of these scenarios sound normal? Overall, I think the flock might be a little onthe thin side, and there are a few mildly messyfluffy butts. Eggs are clean. Everyone else’s poops are well formed. Three hens in their second year (two of which are the molters) and six first year girls (still considered pullets even though laying?)
Their diet is organic layer crumble. Occasional treats of live super worms, sunflower seeds, greek yogurt, or organic kale. Grit and oyster shell available free choice. Run space is about 250 square feet, plus they get at least a little free range time daily. Flock integration seemscomplete and harmonious, though that was a loooong process.
I think that covers it. Oh! One mire thing. My green-pooped molting girl is my most robust girl, Bridgette, my barred rock. She also had a partial molt in the new year, so this seems a little soon to molt again. I appreciate any advice.

So thankful Google just bought up this thread for me! Asked yesterday about my chook not pooping much. She's going through a hard not and now everything makes sense.