turquoise poop! really I swear!

[newchick13]

I'm not crazy....but I just went out to the run to distribute some fresh aspen shavings (to cover the wing deep mud from all the rain) and the chickens poop was turquoise! I did give them a head of purple cabbage so I am thinking that can account for the change. Has anyone else noticed a change in the color of the poop based on what they are eating? The cabbage was the ONLY change in diet.

 

[zazouse]

Purple cabbage will do that

 

[Ariel301]

Hahaha I had that happen to me. My husband gave the baby chicks some shredded purple cabbage and didn't mention it to me. I went into the bathroom where the brooder was and they were pooping purple and blue and I freaked out!

 

[stcroixusvi]

Blueberries=blue poop

 

[geoff40]

Quote:
Sure will!

 

[Chemguy]

I just walked in from hanging a red cabbage for my chicks and saw this message. Now I know that I'll be seeing 'decorations!' It also gives me the idea that red cabbage can be used to test the pH of my chicks' lower digestive tract. Red/purple poop= acidic, blue/turquoise= normal range (near neutral), green/yellow =basic. Not sensitive enough to detect small increments in pH, but still a good indicator! Yes, I see chemistry everywhere.

 

[corgiscatsandchickens]

Quote:

Great idea! This will serve two purposes--monitor PH and play a really funny trick on my husband who is new to chickens. I'm going to get a head of red cabbage and feed it to the girls when he's not looking. He's SO gonna freak out at the poops!