Watery poop - just lots of water or something else?

[maryn7]

This is not something I was usually worry about, but I lost one of my girls last week to (we think) egg yolk peritonitis after just about 10 days of laying. I've only got two left - so a little on edge as they get regulated to egg laying, etc. The chicken that died had some very watery poop once before she passed, but after she was obviously not doing well (in line with the EYP symptomatic poops in this post: https://the-chicken-chick.com/whats-scoop-on-chicken-poop-digestive/).

This watery poop was delivered about noontime (not sure by which chicken), so they've been up and about for a while. Some large regular poops in the yard this morning and their overnights from the coop look fine too. But I also saw one of these watery ones yesterday when they were free ranging. Both girls laid this morning (one of them I thought spent a longer than usual amount of time in the coop laying yesterday - about an hour - but she seemed fine after.)

The second pic is of another I found yesterday. TBH I don't even think this came from a chicken, as it was smaller than a dime. But just providing all the info I have.

Both girls seem happy and healthy. One is currently dust bathing in my swiss chard, while the other monitors the yard for more insulation to eat (she'd forgotten it was there for months, but she could not be more excited to remember about her favorite pastime.)

Looking for advice if it seems concerning, but would more appreciate that it's just me being overly cautious!

 

[azygous]

Since you aren't certain that sample came from one of your chickens, and since your hens are behaving normally, there's little to be concerned about at the moment.

However, if that sample did come from one of the chickens, it could indicate a blockage. It bears watching. Look for behavior that is lethargic, poor appetite, spending time in the nest without producing an egg, fluffed up feathers and tail held low and flat.

If these hens have laid any shell-less eggs recently, then the alert should go up a level of concern.

 

[maryn7]

Oh, I definitely think the big watery poop came from one of my birds. The one I think came from elsewhere possibly is the small one with the red/blood.

I just cracked both their eggs from this morning and they seem fine. Sturdy, all the same color, etc. (The chicken that died had a very weak egg the day before she passed.)

 

[azygous]

If you ever notice a weak, thin shell or shell-less egg, give that hen a calcium tablet, the kind women take for their bones. This will help to head off egg binding in that hen. Give one tablet directly into the beak each day until the eggs are of normal quality again.

If you have no idea which hen laid the poor quality egg, it will do no harm to simply dose every hen to be sure the one that needs it gets it.

Thin shell eggs can break inside and cause infection which can cause death. Shell-less eggs often get stuck and cause egg-binding which can cause death. A calcium tablet given as soon as you see a poor quality egg can often prevent that hen from having life threatening issues. Calcium supplement tablets (not oyster shell) can pump up the calcium levels in the hen, helping the quality, and if she is on the verge of egg-binding, it will strengthen her contractions and help prevent the binding.