Hens Poo Size

[chrismahon]

I've noticed that the size of a hen's poo on/under the perch in the morning increases dramatically just before they come in to lay after the moult or after Winter. Several of our hens have started laying about two weeks after their poo size increased, but before their combs had noticably reddened. I have noticed the same change in pullets. They start small and frequent and get bigger proportionately with their body size, then suddenly the frequency reduces and the size increases four-fold. Am I imagining this or has anyone else noticed the same thing?

 

[tygrysek75]

Yes Chris I had noticed this too

 

[crazypianolady]

I'd not noticed that, but several of my girls are off lay at the moment so I'll be watching for it in future.

 

[chrismahon]

My wife says she's noticed, but I've never seen it mentioned in any posts when people talk about hens coming into lay. Pelvis width and comb reddening but not poo size. I've also notice that just before a hen goes broody the poos get even bigger and rather smelly. I think I spend too much time looking at and cleaning up chicken poo!!!

 

[mollteaser]

I think I've seen it mentioned on another forum...my girls seems to do the enormous poos in the Eglu, and smaller ones outside...sods law!

 

[cuwiar]

The girl that we have who is in lay does 'normal' sized poos overnight but when I let her out in the morning she does the most enormous poo ever...I can't imagine where she stores it! I guess it's the 'crop emptying' poo? And they get smaller as the day goes on. She does go to bed, usually, with an enormous crop as she is a greedy guts but I'm still concerned (as I mentioned in previous post) as her breast bone is very prominent despite eating plenty!

The other two, who aren't in lay just seem to do little pellets by comparison!