[PurpleTree]

One of my chickens seems to have watery poo.  The brown pooey part looks ok, but the urine part which I believe should be a white blob on the top, is more like water.  Is this a sign of anything?  It's been like this for over a week now. She seems fine otherwise, eating and drinking, scratching and pecking.  She's not started laying yet, she's about 26 weeks, but she's started crouching over the last couple of days when I approached her.

I'm sure I read somewhere that someone else had a similar problem and gave the chicken live yoghurt.  Is this right?  What sort of yoghurt is good?

Thanks for any advice.  

[Vember]

Hi Purple Tree
Welcome to the Mad House  

Is the watery bit clear or white like in chicken lady's post above?

Is she doing them all the time or is it just an odd one?

Sarah

[PurpleTree]

It seems to be clear when she first does it, then it turns whiteish.  I only noticed because she did it on the patio, most of the day they're in their run on bark, so it's hard to tell.  Every time I've seen her poo it seems the same.  Have noticed the newspaper in the droppings tray (I have an eglu) has been a bit wet.  Can't believe I'm discussing chicken poo  

[Vember]

It's a great topic for a Sunday evening isn't it  
Watery poops can occur for a couple of reasons more so in warm weather when hen's drink more water.
As long as there is no blood in it and the hen seems bright enough in all other aspects I would be tempted to see how she gets on.
Try checking her temperature, have a feel under the wing of one of your other hens to see if the watery poo culprit is warmer :? That would suggest she has an infection
It may just be her body getting ready for laying an egg
You say that she has started going flat ready to be mated? Is her comb red?



Sarah

[PurpleTree]

Thanks.  I've only had them about 5 weeks, so very new to it.  It's quite funny when I go near them now, as all three just drop to the floor, crouching.  Her comb and wattles are quite red now.  The one who's doing the watery poos has only recently allowed me to pick her up, so haven't attempted to look her over particularly.  As I say they're all bright and perky, she seems to have her head in the feeder (and the flower pots) as much as the other two.

[poultrygeist]

If you're at all worried about her digetive system, you can try a bit of natural yoghurt (they like it a lot!), garlic in their drinking water or Apple Cider Vinegar in the same.

Be warned that the yoghurt gets splashed everywhere once they get their beaks in. :shock:

Rob

[babe]

has she been wormed recently?

[PurpleTree]

When I got them about 5/6 weeks ago, the breeder said to just worm them in the Spring.  I've just ordered some DE powder, so I will add a bit to their pellets, and scatter it around.  I believe that can help with worms.

They all seemed fine this afternoon, merrily scratching up all my grass.

[poultrygeist]

Hi again Purpletree.

What's DE powder ?
I've not come across that one. :?

Rob

[PurpleTree]

Diatomaceous Earth  more info here  Flyte so Fancy

[poultrygeist]

D'oh !  :oops:

Silly me. Couldn't work it out.  :roll:

Not sure if it's any good as a wormer but not sure it'll do any harm either.

If you suspect they have worms, it's recommended to use a proprietary wormer such as Flubenvet which will get rid of the nasties efficiently.

Which reminds me. I must sort ours out in a week in so.

Rob

[PurpleTree]

Can't see any evidence of worms in the poo, do they have any other symptoms if they have worms?

Thought DE powder might just be something handy to have.  Read that some people put it in their dustbaths and around the henhouse.  As you say won't do any harm.

[Vember]

Hi PT

You don't normally see the worms in the poops until you have wormed them, and even then you don't always see them  

Sarah

[babe]

diatom can be used as a natural wormer, for any animal. but only if administered in food.

its more commonly used in poultry for preventing and killing external mites.

definately worth using.

worming neds to be done more than once in springtime. always best to prevent than cure

vermex if you want the natural way. but flubenvet is the best to use.