Okay so I have had chickens for about 2 years and have been doing research on why my chickens have slowed on their laying.
I guess I am an idiot, but my question is....... Is it normal for chickens to have loose stools occasionally? I would say that about 1/3 of mine have them on any given day. I assumed (I know, Stupid) that was normal. I am now wondering if they have some form of disease or parasite.
Their poop is somtimes mustard yellow or a real dark brown liquid.
Chicken Diarrhea (sensitive stomachs stay away)
kns-
Hi, I'm the one who actually asks all the questions around her, but I can honestly say from experience, that my healthy birds (chicken and birds) do sometimes have that type of poo when they get stressed. And sometimes they stress when a squirrel runs by and -squirt- a diarrhea. Then the next poo is perfect.
Plus, if they had a parasite, they would have gone downhill eventually..besides the poo being bad (and sometimes RANCID smelling!). Like lathargic, fever, not eating or drinking, etc.
Of course, I am probably going to be corrected here in about 10 mins :) But, hopefully that helps a little ?
~music
Well that is kind of what I was thinking. That they should be showing signs of distress in other ways if something was wrong. Like losing weight, huddled down, not eating or drinking, but all seem to be good.
Guess we will wait and see what others think.
Sheila
i think they have loose stools once a day. remember reading that somewhere
The 10th stool is always loose and it is normal.
Loose stools can be caused by something they eat or stress if there are no others signs of illness i wouldn't worry about it.
Mine have the same thing. Seems more frequent in the morning for some reason. But it's not every bird every day. It's just occasional. Same mustard and/or chocolate color too. Sometimes the mustardy stuff is bubbly. Ick.
How did someone ever find out that the 10th stool is loose? Kinda funny to think about having that job...
haha! that's true. Wonder how much that job pays!
~music