Chuck with diarrhoea

[daveyp]

Newby is concerned!

We have had our 3 girls for just over 2 weeks now (POL Hybrids) and at some point all have had runny poo, but the other 2 cleared over a day or 2 after starting, the 3rd is taking longer to get over it.

It hasn't been since we got them! The other 2 seem "normal" - firm, curly with white cap. (It's as bad as having kids - looking at poo!)

She has had it now for about 3 days and is very runny and orangey in colour. She is not off her food and is drinking and doesn't look at all unwell - foraging, flapping, enjoying herself, bright eyed, active etc. I put it down to a change of diet / surroundings with each of them, especially as the other 2 got over it within a day or 2, but "Daisy" is taking longer.

Should I be concerned yet?

What can I do to help?

Does it usually clear up on it's own?

All of them are being fed layer pellets via a feeder, with an afternoon treat of mixed corn (just a handful!) and some fresh vegetables - sweetcorns, broccolli, cauli etc and have free range of the garden.

I have been cleaning the drinker / feeder with diluted poultryshield and rinsing well.

Any help would of course be appreciated.

Thanks,

Daveyp

 

[Tim]

Hi Daveyp,

If it cleared up in the others, I would say it's more likely to be down to the change in diet than anything else. Poo can indicate many different problems from diet, respiratory problems, worms, and many diseases but if it's cleared in the others and there's no other symptoms, it is more likely down to change in diet.

POL hybrids will have probably been vaccinated which can also cause some loose movements for a while.

One point to note - if you look at the digestive system of a chicken (excuse my hand drawing ) there are a couple of tubes called the caeca - these are thought to ferment food that cannot be digested normally and once a day, they are emptied. It looks like a dark mustard coloured froth / liquid - to be blunt (yes, I have kids so I'm allowed to say this..) like an english mustard colour with a few bubbles... this is normal and can sometimes be confused..

I have threatened to take photos of poos and to write an article on it but I don't think I could survive the abuse from my friends... :?

Tim

 

[daveyp]

Tim,

Thanks for your advise. (Again!)

She seems "normal" now. Could be coincidence, but 2 helpings of pasta were fed to her over the last couple of days....?

Also, we have our first egg! (Not sure which chuck though).

Cheers,

Daveyp.

 

[Tim]

I feed pasta from time to time but if you overdo it you'll have fat chooks and they won't lay

Pleased to hear it's cleared up anyway. Congrats on the first egg - Enjoy!!!!

Tim.