solid droppings with tiny bright green crystals on surface?

[cityeggs]

I've noticed a number of poops recently that look normal-enough, but have bright green crystalized substance on one side/surface. What is this? I know bile can be green, but the descriptions sound much different than this. Is this normal? Should I be concerned? It's hard for me to get a good photo with my phone camera - it doesn't focus well at such a short distance - so it may just look like section with a slightly different color, but looking closely, it looks like tiny crystals on the surface. If you zoom in, it should be visible.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I don't see anything wrong.

 

[cityeggs]

Thanks! That's a relief! I've been having to keep a close eye on droppings lately bc of a sick hen, so it's good to know I can chill out about these and least and maybe take a step back on my poop inspections

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Bright green crystals got my attention because my dog got into a rat bait that looked that way, years ago. BUT that poo looks normal. What do they eat? It's no surprise to me when my flocks eats blackberry's and then have purple poo, just sayin......

 

[cityeggs]

Oh no! Did your dog survive that encounter???

Would the chickens be very sick if in fact they'd gotten into rat bait? We do have a neighborhood rat problem, and one of the hens got out and wandered into the next door neighbor's yard the other week. I will ask my neighbors if they have put any out ever, but they don't strike me as the people who would put out bait without telling us, since we both have young kids. You never know for sure, though without asking! We've been using snap traps only.

As for eating, they haven't been getting any treats from me other than occasional mash with a little whey, since I had a hen with a crop issue for the last month. There are plenty of leaves that fall into their fenced area - mostly plum leaves, but some eucalyptus, though so far they seem to have the sense not to touch the eucalyptus, and I take them out whenever I see them just in case. But that's pretty much all they can reach as far as foraging.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Apologize for concerning you about rat bait. My dog did recover, I had to wisk her off to the vet but that was after I gave her something to make her throw up and that's how I saw the green crystals in alot of green foam (It had been left in an old shed by previous homeowners, I was unaware.) Anyhoo, I think you're in good shape~!! But of course it can't hurt to friendly remind neighbors to let you know if they ever set poison out. I actually have indeed used it on a rat infestation but where the chickens couldnt possibly get to it.