[joolie]

Hi
Has anyone got any ideas why my girl is having milky white poos please?
They are really runny - sometimes there are solid bits in but others it is just fluid.  She is eating and seems her normal self.  She is only about 20 weeks and not yet laying.  Please can someone help as i'm new to poultry keeping and am worried for her. I dont think any of my other girls are having this problem but cant be totally sure.
Cheers,
Joolie.

[joyfull]

Hi, have you had a look at the pictures on here? Do they resemble any of them?

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=17568.0

joyfullxx

[joolie]

Thanks for those pics - never thought i would be looking at chicken poop on a friday night! It does look a bit like the one from the older girl with a possible kidney problem.  But Candy is still a wee girl and is not yet laying so me thinks that this may be serious now.

[grumpydad]

is the poo in the morning or all the time ? i was advised that one like that in the morning was because the chuck had not eaten enough first thing, just check them and if the majority are ok then she should be ok, just get concerned if they are constantly runny and liquid, they need a vet at that stage, but for the occasional runny poo, dont be too concerned.

martyn

[redmolly]

Yeah mine do those occasionally too.....one more frequent than others, but she's very well and happy!! As long as there are normal ones in between it's ok!!! If it's been warm I get quite a few of those from "Hilda" when she's been drinking a lot!! I thought it was kidney too.....but she's fine!! Hope yours is too!! 

[hillfooter]

This may clear up in which case it might not be anything to worry about.  Review your sanitary arrangements and be extra vigilant and ensure there’s not some obvious cause such as mouldy feed.  If posisible isolate the bird.  If the condition continues beyond about 4 days or there’s a drop in condition and you suspect a digestive infection or food poisoning you may have to consult a vet for a more definitive answer.  Digestive problems can be difficult to diagnose and some history about the birds breeding maybe useful to know in forming a diagnosis.

Normally I'd say don't worry however given the age of the bird and your description of the symptoms this would not be untypical of Lymphoid Leukosis. A disease which is generally vertically passed through the hatching egg from hen to chick.  It is characterised by a long incubation period of 4 to 6 months and frequently occurs at times of stress such as when laying starts.  Other signs are emancipation (compare the breast bone and flanks with your other healthy birds), loss of appetite, low production.  Horizontal spread is usually low so if you isolate this bird and there's every chance even if it is LL your other birds will be OK.  Keep under observation and particularly check for any signs of prolapse due to the enteritis, treat for dehydration if the diarrhoea persists.

You can make a very good electrolyte using the following formula.  Make a solution of 2ml salt substitute (potassium chloride), 3ml baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), 5ml salt (sodium chloride), 10ml glucose (optional) in 1 litre of water given in place of drinking water for seven days.  Chickens seem to like apple cider vinegar added to their water so you can add between 5 – 10ml per litre of drinking water to encourage them to drink.  Adding a multi-vitamin supplement and using a higher protein feed such as ex batts pellets (rather than layers) can help with convalescence.
Regards

[joolie]

Thanks everyone - the advice helps.  She seems to be ok in herself today - she has chased both dogs around the garden and been sunbathing in the dirt.  I'll keep an eye on her - and am crossing everything that its not LL.
Thanks again x