poorly hen, green droppings

[molliedogspabottom]

Hi everyone,

I have not posted for a while, life seems to have taken over recently but it`s good to know you are all there when needed.

Primrose is about18 month old, looks really good , bright red comb feathers in good condition but over the last week I have noticed that she has not been coming for the afternoon feed, sweetcorn bread and moist meal ( which I usually get mugged for). Mixed corn is always available.

She does not have the usual full crop that all the others have although she wandered around scratching and pecking when she was not sat looking
sorry for herself.

I now have her in the poorly pen ( a small run outside the window ) and I bring her in at night . She is being tempted with some fresh greens and apple and picking at the usual diet, mixed corn, fresh sweetcorn, bits of bread, she has grit in the run and fresh water.

Her droppings are dark green, solid with the usual white coating.

can anyone offer advice as to what may be wrong or any ideas as to what to offer her that would be really temping to eat.



Hope you can help, many thanks, Heather

 

[chrismahon]

We've got three like that. Everything seems fine but just gone off their food. Dark green poos will be the greens she's had. I'm just leaving them to it at the moment thinking that when the weather warms they may snap out of it. Two are still feathering up from a late moult and I think they are just run down. May try ours on 5mL cod liver oil with multivitamins. Have you offered natural yoghurt with probiotic -ours love it as an occasional treat -too much promotes sour crop? Best on tiny squares of bread or they stick their heads in the bowl and it goes everywhere!

 

[Bertie & The Chooks]

Is she laying?

 

[molliedogspabottom]

Hi Steph,

dont worry you question was to the point.
I have ME and it affects my spelling even 4 or 5 letter words some days ( very embarrassing at times)

I don`t think she is laying, I have seventeen so hard to tell but certainly not yesterday.
Not sure how to reply to individuals but in answer to Chris, she definately
wants to be out of the poorly pen and back with the others , she is well feathered and looks great.
what are the multi vits you give and would I get them from the animal food supplyers? I have the oil, how do you give that? I normally give it mixed with they mixed corn to bind the worming powder.
do you give it as a suppliment?

Heather

regards Heather

 

[Marigold]

Hi Heather,
You didn't mention layers pellets when you said what she was eating - do you give her these? It might be good to cut out the bread, which has no nutritional value for hens, unless you are giving very small bits to get medication into her, as Chris suggested. If she's just having mixed corn ad lib plus bread and more sweetcorn in it, perhaps her diet might be a bit unbalanced?
There are lots of brands of chicken vitamin supplements on the market and all of them may be helpful if there is actually a dietary deficiency, but i would take a look at balancing her present diet first. Mine love a warm mash made mainly with pellets soaked in water until just nicely crumbly, to which you could try adding hulled sunflower seeds, cod liver oil or any other extras you think she might like. This will help to keep her hydrated as well. If as you say she's 'well feathered and looks great' she should pick up. But of course Bertie may have pointed out the problem - if she is eggbound, symptoms might be similar to what you are reporting.

 

[chrismahon]

Hi Molly. The CLO comes from the supermarket and contains the multivitamins. Same stuff that we take administered in a syringe, followed rapidly by a grape to take the nasty taste away. We used it for crop bound once and it acted like a rapid pick-me-up. Since then we give it when they seem run down (5 mL for large fowl) and it works well. However, two successive doses makes them ill. For crop bound we now use Olive Oil, also as a lubricant for egg bound. Probably has other good side effects as well, joints, system lubrication, sheen on feathers, dry comb.

 

[molliedogspabottom]

HI, first to Marigold, yes they have layers pellets,sweetcorn and wheat as mixed food always available, they also get a big scoopful outside in a container every morning and fresh water.

In the afternoon they get four slices of wholemeal bread between 18 ( including Colin), frozen sweetcorn which is thawed (and warmed in cold weather )and also layers mash moistened until crumb like. they also get greens, fallen fruit and other titbits, mealworms are a real favorite but don`t go far between 18 birds. the titbits are not too often.

they are all in a field high fence so they are free range ( but can be kept safe), and able to forage.


any tips on the eggbound situation, I will read up on the site at passed postings.

I have just looked outside and she is in the box of shavings but is standing rather than sitting, would I be able to feel if she was egg bound?

To Mollie, the CLO that I have is in a large container and yes it does have all the vits. in, I buy it from the feed supplier.


thanks Heather

 

[chrismahon]

Don't think the bread is good at all, even if it is wholemeal -been cooked and has yeast. Perhaps she has sour crop -squishy crop and mouldy breath. Then again not if her poos are OK.

Egg bound. Frequent trips to nest box. Pulsating vent which may reveal a glimse of the egg. Check for swollen abdomen while you are there.

 

[Bertie & The Chooks]

Hi Heather, thank you for understanding. I have ADHD and i can be a bit impulsive with my responses and not very organised or tactful. some take offense, but it's not meant to be offensive.

As for your little chook, you've already said her crop looks feels ok so i would not think it was a sour crop problem personally, but you never know! Sounds like she's getting a well balanced diet bar the sweetcorn. Very spoiled with the fresh sweet corn and possibly too much if fed to regularly! it can cause laying problems if over fed.

I would cut back on the bread and sweet corn and only feed occasionally as these are really treats. Poultry pellets and feeds are already balanced for them and feeding too much of the same elements on top can cause laying problems and digestive problems(crop, gut etc..) I would cut out the corn for the time being including the mixed corn and maybe only give(dried mixed, not frozen fresh) some on evenings when you know it's going to be cold.

I would check her vent and see if there is anything visible in pulsing or have a feel round, it will be pretty obvious, but don't be tempted to press too hard or pull as it can cause breakages and infection. If you are concerned or feel out of your depth at any point do not hesitate to ring your nearest farm vet. There are a few old remedies i'm sure a few people on here can offer for help if she is egg bound, but i tend to just keep them warm, moving/active fresh food and water regularly and they usually sort themselves out. I don't think I would isolate her. But just keep an eye on her. Since she's well in herself otherwise with good colour in her comb and healthy feathered, i wouldn't worry too much. This crazy up and down weather has hens everywhere very confused!!

 

[Marigold]

Don't think the bread is good at all, even if it is wholemeal -been cooked and has yeast. .

-and maybe it would also be better for them if you didn't feed regular amounts of frozen sweetcorn, which is very fattening - nice in very small quantities as an occasional treat maybe, but not every day in noticeable amounts. It would be better for them to have the layers mash as the main ad lib food rather than the mixed corn, and then give maybe one eggcupful max of corn per hen per day, as an afternoon treat and forget about the bread altogether. Chickens are just like us, they like what is to them 'junk food' but it doesn't do them any good in the long run.

But the diet question may be separate from what is apparently wrong with her, if she is possibly eggbound.

P.S. sorry Bertie i've cross-posted with yours. As usual you've said it all much better than me, but good to see we agree!

 

[Bertie & The Chooks]

Don't think the bread is good at all, even if it is wholemeal -been cooked and has yeast. .

-and maybe it would also be better for them if you didn't feed regular amounts of frozen sweetcorn, which is very fattening - nice in very small quantities as an occasional treat maybe, but not every day in noticeable amounts. It would be better for them to have the layers mash as the main ad lib food rather than the mixed corn, and then give maybe one eggcupful max of corn per hen per day, as an afternoon treat and forget about the bread altogether. Chickens are just like us, they like what is to them 'junk food' but it doesn't do them any good in the long run.

But the diet question may be separate from what is apparently wrong with her, if she is possibly eggbound.

P.S. sorry Bertie i've cross-posted with yours. As usual you've said it all much better than me, but good to see we agree!

Snap!

 

[ccm]

Green poos can be indicative of liver disease, also when they are not eating green bile can be passed but then its usually bright green
Its always difficult to analyse a birds symptoms on the net, a bit easier when the bird is seen for real and even better when that person is a poultry clued up vet.
If you operate a no vet policy as many do then theres not a lot you can do but wait, administer some TLC and keep your fingers crossed, I hope all goes well and she picks up.

 

[Bertie & The Chooks]

Green poos can be indicative of liver disease, also when they are not eating green bile can be passed but then its usually bright green
Its always difficult to analyse a birds symptoms on the net, a bit easier when the bird is seen for real and even better when that person is a poultry clued up vet.
If you operate a no vet policy as many do then theres not a lot you can do but wait, administer some TLC and keep your fingers crossed, I hope all goes well and she picks up.

I was always under the impression bile was more of a mustard green colour. Newcastle Disease produces a bright green stool though. I agree vets advice is best, but judging on the other symptoms or lack there of as well as the increased green food in the diet. one would assume it's not likely to be a liver problem or Newcastle Disease. Bile stools and ND stools tend ot be watery and diarrhea. not solid ones i thought. but I could be remembering wrong... Mine get dark green stools after eating lots of apples and greenery too. None of them have any of the above diseases.

 

[ccm]

Green poos can be indicative of liver disease, also when they are not eating green bile can be passed but then its usually bright green
Its always difficult to analyse a birds symptoms on the net, a bit easier when the bird is seen for real and even better when that person is a poultry clued up vet.
If you operate a no vet policy as many do then theres not a lot you can do but wait, administer some TLC and keep your fingers crossed, I hope all goes well and she picks up.

I was always under the impression bile was more of a mustard green colour. Newcastle Disease produces a bright green stool though. I agree vets advice is best, but judging on the other symptoms or lack there of as well as the increased green food in the diet. one would assume it's not likely to be a liver problem or Newcastle Disease. Bile stools and ND stools tend ot be watery and diarrhea. not solid ones i thought. but I could be remembering wrong... Mine get dark green stools after eating lots of apples and greenery too. None of them have any of the above diseases.

Highly unlikely to be ND, last outbreak in the UK was in the late 90's, lets not frighten the life out of molliedog :lol:

 

[Bertie & The Chooks]

Green poos can be indicative of liver disease, also when they are not eating green bile can be passed but then its usually bright green
Its always difficult to analyse a birds symptoms on the net, a bit easier when the bird is seen for real and even better when that person is a poultry clued up vet.
If you operate a no vet policy as many do then theres not a lot you can do but wait, administer some TLC and keep your fingers crossed, I hope all goes well and she picks up.

I was always under the impression bile was more of a mustard green colour. Newcastle Disease produces a bright green stool though. I agree vets advice is best, but judging on the other symptoms or lack there of as well as the increased green food in the diet. one would assume it's not likely to be a liver problem or Newcastle Disease. Bile stools and ND stools tend ot be watery and diarrhea. not solid ones i thought. but I could be remembering wrong... Mine get dark green stools after eating lots of apples and greenery too. None of them have any of the above diseases.

Highly unlikely to be ND, last outbreak in the UK was in the late 90's, lets not frighten the life out of molliedog :lol:

I was kind of implying the same to you with the liver disease! v. unlikely. 10

 

[ccm]

I was always under the impression bile was more of a mustard green colour. Newcastle Disease produces a bright green stool though. I agree vets advice is best, but judging on the other symptoms or lack there of as well as the increased green food in the diet. one would assume it's not likely to be a liver problem or Newcastle Disease. Bile stools and ND stools tend ot be watery and diarrhea. not solid ones i thought. but I could be remembering wrong... Mine get dark green stools after eating lots of apples and greenery too. None of them have any of the above diseases. [/quote]

Highly unlikely to be ND, last outbreak in the UK was in the late 90's, lets not frighten the life out of molliedog :lol:[/quote]

I was kind of implying the same to you with the liver disease! v. unlikely. 10[/quote]

Sorry if I'm trespassing 07

 

[chrismahon]

By co-incidence I am reading Lewis Wright's 1867 Poultry book at the moment. It says "It is necessary to avoid giving too great a portion of maize (sweetcorn) or the effect will be a useless and prejudicial fattening from the large quantity of oil it contains". Might explain why our piggy Orpingtons are so fat.

Also worth mentioning, although not relevant here with free ranging, is a bit about fresh veg. " It is absolutely IMPOSSIBLE to keep fowls in health without an ample and daily supply of green or fresh vegetable food. The omission of this is the proximate cause of nearly half the deaths in confinement." He means birds that do not free range but are confined to a soil run. So on reading this I dashed out and gave them all apples and cabbage leaves.

He also suggests that grain should be fed at night in Winter to see them through it as mash goes through too fast. Mash should be fed first thing. Wheat is a good Winter warmer so they should have wheat last thing before bed.

 

[ccm]

A very astute and knowledgeable man Mr Wright, wonder what he would make of our modern day compound feeds,

 

[Marigold]

By co-incidence I am reading Lewis Wright's 1867 Poultry book at the moment. It says "It is necessary to avoid giving too great a portion of maize (sweetcorn) or the effect will be a useless and prejudicial fattening from the large quantity of oil it contains"..

and of course, the fat is deposited round the egglaying organs in hens, which can lead to eggbinding problems.

 

[molliedogspabottom]

HI All,

gosh ! you really are a wealth of information, I have started to reduce the bread and sweetcorn this afternoon, did`nt think it would be good to stop immediately but to do it gradually.

It also makes sense to feed mash in the morning and wheat at night as I have noticed that the boards under the perches are covered in mash droppings the next morning.

Had a look at primroses nether regions but can`nt feel or see anything, just hoping she gets better now

Heather