Unknown cause of Diarrhea

[Chold05]

Hi everyone!

Me again!

My 2 year old ISA suddenly started having diarrhea about 1.5 weeks ago. I thought maybe she just ate something funny at first but it didn’t get better so I wormed with ivermectin a few days ago. Still no improvement. Also put some electrolytes in their water for a couple days.

Haven’t made any changes to feed or anything. They haven’t been able to free range as much as they used to because of the hawks.

I’ve noticed she’s been egg bound a few times, laid two eggs, and the shells have been pretty thin recently. other than that she seems normal; foraging, eating, preening, etc

They always have access to calcium, grit and their own shells.

Not sure what’s causing it but getting a little worried about how long it’s been going on.

 

[azygous]

How is her behavior? That tells us more than just poop.

If she's even a little bit off from her normal behavior, perhaps a little slow, a little uninterested in flock activity, it's a clue she could have a bacterial infection.

But confirm it with her behavior and the runny poop for three days in a row.

If that turns out to be the case, amoxicillin is a good antibiotic and you might be able to find it at Tractor Supply or a pet store that sells aquarium fish. You want 250mg and you'll give that dose once a day for ten days.

Or get it here. https://www.kvsupply.com/item/aqua-mox-250mg-capsules-100-count/P06184/

 

[Chold05]

How is her behavior? That tells us more than just poop.

If she's even a little bit off from her normal behavior, perhaps a little slow, a little uninterested in flock activity, it's a clue she could have a bacterial infection.

But confirm it with her behavior and the runny poop for three days in a row.

If that turns out to be the case, amoxicillin is a good antibiotic and you might be able to find it at Tractor Supply or a pet store that sells aquarium fish. You want 250mg and you'll give that dose once a day for ten days.

Or get it here. https://www.kvsupply.com/item/aqua-mox-250mg-capsules-100-count/P06184/

Thanks so much for the reply and the link!

Her behavior is pretty normal, overall. I let them free range today for a little and she was active, scratching, interested in treats. She’s eating her feed but I think drinking quite a bit which is probably to be expected.

The only thing I’ve noticed different is her laying schedule. She’s a heavy layer, layed all winter, and usually lays every day. But lately her schedule is off… skipping a few days, laying double (eggs with white rings and or very thin shelled)

 

[azygous]

It won't hurt to hunt down the antibiotic to have just in case she needs it. Not just yet, though.

By "laying double", what do you mean? Two eggs in one 25 hour cycle or double yolk eggs?

Her recent laying history is concerning. She may have already gotten something stuck inside. Because of the unpredictable laying and the poor shell quality, it would be a good idea to give her a calcium supplement. The oyster shell is fine for general calcium needs, but when a reproductive crisis looms, this is what I use because it is strong and works fast.

Give her one tablet directly in her beak once a day until her eggs are coming more regularly and with a good shell. She probably won't need the calcium for more than a week.

This has the potential to strengthen her shells and to regulate her cycle. If the runny poop is caused by some minor blockage of egg material in the oviduct, the calcium will help her expel it.

If the runny stools continue and especially if she becomes more lethargic, then start the antibiotic.

 

[Chold05]

It won't hurt to hunt down the antibiotic to have just in case she needs it. Not just yet, though.

By "laying double", what do you mean? Two eggs in one 25 hour cycle or double yolk eggs?

Her recent laying history is concerning. She may have already gotten something stuck inside. Because of the unpredictable laying and the poor shell quality, it would be a good idea to give her a calcium supplement. The oyster shell is fine for general calcium needs, but when a reproductive crisis looms, this is what I use because it is strong and works fast. View attachment 3022024Give her one tablet directly in her beak once a day until her eggs are coming more regularly and with a good shell. She probably won't need the calcium for more than a week.

This has the potential to strengthen her shells and to regulate her cycle. If the runny poop is caused by some minor blockage of egg material in the oviduct, the calcium will help her expel it.

If the runny stools continue and especially if she becomes more lethargic, then start the antibiotic.

Thank you so much. This is incredibly helpful!

 

[Dinahess]

Hi everyone!

Me again!

My 2 year old ISA suddenly started having diarrhea about 1.5 weeks ago. I thought maybe she just ate something funny at first but it didn’t get better so I wormed with ivermectin a few days ago. Still no improvement. Also put some electrolytes in their water for a couple days.

Haven’t made any changes to feed or anything. They haven’t been able to free range as much as they used to because of the hawks.

I’ve noticed she’s been egg bound a few times, laid two eggs, and the shells have been pretty thin recently. other than that she seems normal; foraging, eating, preening, etc

They always have access to calcium, grit and their own shells.

Not sure what’s causing it but getting a little worried about how long it’s been going on.
View attachment 3021791

Get some Corid. Put it their water for 5 days. 2tsp per gallon.. if she doesn’t get better up the dose.

 

[korn6015]

It won't hurt to hunt down the antibiotic to have just in case she needs it. Not just yet, though.

By "laying double", what do you mean? Two eggs in one 25 hour cycle or double yolk eggs?

Her recent laying history is concerning. She may have already gotten something stuck inside. Because of the unpredictable laying and the poor shell quality, it would be a good idea to give her a calcium supplement. The oyster shell is fine for general calcium needs, but when a reproductive crisis looms, this is what I use because it is strong and works fast. View attachment 3022024Give her one tablet directly in her beak once a day until her eggs are coming more regularly and with a good shell. She probably won't need the calcium for more than a week.

This has the potential to strengthen her shells and to regulate her cycle. If the runny poop is caused by some minor blockage of egg material in the oviduct, the calcium will help her expel it.

If the runny stools continue and especially if she becomes more lethargic, then start the antibiotic.

I have Kirkland's Calcium Citrate Magnesium and ziinc. Would this be OK to mash up and add to my chicken's water? I have one girl that has a lot of poop buildup right now. I'm getting one egg per girl (I only have 5) fairly regularly but in last couple of days I've only gotten 3 or 4, so I'm worried. Is the poop buildup a serious problem? Or does it correct itself over time?

 

[azygous]

I have Kirkland's Calcium Citrate Magnesium and ziinc. Would this be OK to mash up and add to my chicken's water? I have one girl that has a lot of poop buildup right now. I'm getting one egg per girl (I only have 5) fairly regularly but in last couple of days I've only gotten 3 or 4, so I'm worried. Is the poop buildup a serious problem? Or does it correct itself over time?

Your issue with your hen needs to be discussed in a thorough manner. Many more details are necessary to help you. If you start your own thread, we can give you the focus your issue deserves. Click on the forum title, then click on the button, "start thread". Post a photo of the hen and her poop. Age and describe her behavior and egg laying history.

 

[korn6015]

Your issue with your hen needs to be discussed in a thorough manner. Many more details are necessary to help you. If you start your own thread, we can give you the focus your issue deserves. Click on the forum title, then click on the button, "start thread". Post a photo of the

hen and her poop. Age and describe her behavior and egg laying history.

Thanks. I will get some pictures tomorrow and start a thread then. At least I know she laid an egg today, so I am not as worried as I was. But I definitely need to get her cleaned up!