[Asherweef]

Sorry to be a bother, but as you may remember we are new to keeping chickens. We have 3 who are all eating well, putting on weight and seem quite happy and active scratching around in the eun. One of those however, a blue ranger, has produced a couple of light brown poos (picture attached) over the past few days. I've done a bit of research and understand that this might be a cecal poo, but it seems to be ever so slightly foamy and she's produced a couple in the past few days. Further research has shown that if it is a foamy poo she should be very lethargic, not eating much and not putting on weight but she seems to be doing the opposite.

I've looked over the poo thread and it seems between cecal and foamy?

Hope you can help!

[ghost61]

I don't think you've anything to worry about if she is eating and active.  Don't get too worked up about their poo.  Mine produce so many different sorts depending on what they've eaten, that I look more at them than their poo,to judge if something is wrong.

I would worm them now if I were you, just to be on the safe side.

Enjoy your hens!!

[Asherweef]

Thanks for that Ghost, it's just I've seen a few of those and a few today now

[Sassy]

It could well be caecal poo which does tend to be foamy, at least it was in my hens. As long as she is active I would not worry. It is good advice to worm especially if you have not done so for a while

[Asherweef]

It could well be caecal poo which does tend to be foamy, at least it was in my hens. As long as she is active I would not worry. It is good advice to worm especially if you have not done so for a while

Hi Sassy, do you just use the Verm-X pellets instead of normal layers?

[ghost61]

To worm hens you need to either get hold of flubenvet powder from a vet, or via the internet, or you can get the flubenvet premixed into their layer pellets.  Both are fed to them for seven days.  No treats and restrict their free ranging so that they take the full dose. 

The verm-x pellets are just a precaution against worms, not medication to get rid of any potential worms they may have.

[Asherweef]

To worm hens you need to either get hold of flubenvet powder from a vet, or via the internet, or you can get the flubenvet premixed into their layer pellets.  Both are fed to them for seven days.  No treats and restrict their free ranging so that they take the full dose. 

The verm-x pellets are just a precaution against worms, not medication to get rid of any potential worms they may have.

Thanks for that Ghost - I've done some research and my birds were wormed just before I got them c.1 month ago but I think I may still do it as a precaution; I've used ACV for 1 week (I'm doing days 1-7 of the month) and have been sanitising the ground in the run for them. Probably overreacting as again she seems fine (other than her being naturally shy).

[Sassy]

Agree with Ghost

[Asherweef]

Well - she's still doing funny poos but I managed to grab her (after shutting the other 2 in the coop for 5 minutes!) and she seems to be heavier than the others (as is her breed) so I'm not concerned about her losing weight.

All I need to sort out now is to get her out of the coop - she's not half sulking & is refusing to come out!!! I am such a bad daddy.

[Asherweef]

Also just caught one of the girls pulling some back feathers out

[ghost61]

Presumably from another hen?  Monitor the behaviour and if it gets aggressive try some anti peck spray.  I think you might be worrying too much, but better that than neglect!

[Asherweef]

I really hope it's needless worrying but now one hen is following her around the run pecking the same spot on her back (she now has a 10p size space patch).

[Springlands]

You need to get some purple spray for the bald patch  - if you do not have any your local chicken supplies place should have some. It acts as a deterrent to further pecking and as an antiseptic.

[Sassy]

Do check she isn't carrying any passengers, remember they can be very hard to see

[ghost61]

Do watch out if any blood is drawn by the harassing bird.  That will spell trouble and I would then isolate the bullied bird till she recovers.  Good luck, but mine like to clean each other bottoms of poo sometimes and as the poo sets solid that can result in the loss of an odd feather or two.  Mine are also in the state of a London moult and that seems concentrated on their bottom area,making them look a little thin down below!