Runny brown poo, looks like melted chocolate

[chellebyerly]

I went out to the coop today, and was watching the birds, I noticed that my march born Jersey Giant squirted out what looked JUST like a melted hershey bar. Then a Feb born Hen did it too. These are the only two I saw do it, but there was some more around. I stood out there for at least 15 minutes waiting. Till the baby got in fireants..

I have read a few posts. Some say its parasites, others say its just a small change in diet and perfectly normal.

They are still on medicated chick starter feed, I did get a differnt brand this last time, and do get chicken scratch.

Ocasionally they will get a few allstock pellets that the pigs throw into the coop (seperated by wire, but the pigs still toss in the 'hog food' ) and sometimes they will get some kitchen scraps that fall in when the hogs are fed.

My kids also feed them green grass when they get the chance.

There is really no avain vet here. I dont mind worming, or giving a parasite control,

These chicks came strait from Ideal, and have not been around any other chickens. nowhere even NEAR any others.

Like I said, I have read, but I couldnt get a totally firm grasp. Part of it might be because it takes me about 2-3 minutes to load each page. LOL Stupid dial up..

 

[sammi]

try blocking the area from getting pig feed or debris..

are the "hershey" droppings al the time?
are they having normal droppings also?
a few times a day chickens do have "cecal droppings" that are usually dark and very messy..this is normal..
but shouldn't be too often.

try giving some plain active culture yogurt mixed with feed.
no scratch or kitchen treats right now.
(what sort of scraps do they get?)

see if the droppings firm up to normal.

could be change of feed..
better to gradually make a change then all at once.

BTW...don't let the kids give them pulled grass.
it can cause crop problems.
when chickens peck at grass..they peck the tips, not long pieces.
they can wrap into a ball around a bit of food, and impact the crop.

if loose droppings continue or get worse.
post back..
you can take a fresh fecal sample to any vet for worm and protozoa test..sometimes called a fecal float.