Beryl's yoghurt

[Lucylou]

This has been mentioned a few times as being good for chooks - I've given them a pro-biotic from supermarket (usually Yeo valley)but where can I get Beryl's from? My chooks keep having bouts of diarrhoea, as soon as I think I've sorted one another one starts with it. Nothing too bad but enough to be a slight problem so thought I'd try giving yoghurt regularly & Beryl's seems a good idea.

 

[chrismahon]

Hi Lucylou. It is called Beryl's Friendly Bacteria from www.chickenvet.co.uk. We bought a 6 bird pack which actually treated 10. Ours arrived in a chilled pack because it must be kept between 2 and 8 degrees, so you need to be there to sign for it. Very stinky stuff but did the job for us. The packet says re-administer every month, which I don't agree with at all. It should populate the gut and only need re-administering if the poos change. It takes about two weeks to see the effect.

 

[Marigold]

Hi Lucylou. I wonder if you might be worrying unnecessarily? Once in about every 10 poos, a chicken does what is called a caecal poo, which is often quite frothy and also runny, colour varying from sulphur yellow to darker brown. This is entirely normal, something to do with the way their insides work, I'm not sure what exactly. You can see some pretty gross images here
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/02/whats-scoop-on-chicken-poop-digestive.html
Which may put your mind at rest. Just Google Chickens caecal poo for more images if needed.
If a hen truly has diarrhoea it will stick to her vent and the feathers at the back end and won't just come and go, it will happen all the time and it's often green, indicating an intestinal infection. Probiotics may help with this but aren't necessary otherwise. So, are your chickens' bums clean?
If you want Beryls you can get it from The Chicken Vet site see
http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/shop/products/index.aspx/category/nutritional-supplements-5
But as you'll see its not cheap and I'm not convinced that it's necessary, especially if you are not sure of a diagnosis. My hens seem to stay healthy and happy for years on end without any supplements whatsoever, just routine care really, and of course good healthy stock to start with.
By the way, have they had a course of Flubenvet since you got them? They will need worming if they haven't been done. Worms can cause diarrhoea as one of the symptoms but I don't suppose yours are at that stage yet even if not wormed recently.

 

[Anonymous]

There's an article on diarrhoea on poultrykeeper as well that might help... It can be caused by a number of things so it may help you as a checklist.

http://poultrykeeper.com/digestive-system-problems/the-chickenvet-talks-about-diarrhoea-in-backyard-poultry

Good luck
Tim

 

[Lucylou]

Thanks everyone.
Marigold they're old birds (amazed they're still laying, but still give us enough eggs) & at our old house never had this problem. Have been wondering if it was something to do with having less space than before as now they're confined to a smaller area & on top of the same ground more (approx. 12 sq mts for 5 birds but previously about 3 x this space) but they do have a larger enclosure for a few hours a day.
One particularly has a very messy bum but otherwise is fine, not losing weight, perky, laying etc. I have also now got an Omlet cube (hate it!!) which I didn't have before, & they're not overly happy with the arrangement but seem to have got used to it but the poop is very difficult to keep out of the nesting box! With the better weather coming I'll try disinfecting more often, takes ages to completely dry in the winter.

Tim, I've read the article thank you, will worm them as they're due to be done & follow some of the advice & see if it improves. Will also try some Beryl's.

Lucylou