Pebbles in poop

[PatS]

One of my chickens had a poop today that was normal looking except it had many, many little rounded pebbles in it. I know there are pebbles that stay in the gizzard to help grind food, but I have never seen a poop that contained pebbles before. I'd say the pebbles comprised about 50% of an otherwise normal poop. The flock generally free ranges all day, every day. Their run (they spend some time in there of their own volition or if we are out of town for the day, rarely) is covered with three or so inches of sand. There are pebbles like this both in the run and in the yard.

Is this okay or a sign of a problem? They seem healthy.

 

[Mahonri]

Maybe she emptied out her crop???

 

[dbcooper02]

I'd say its normal. I think when they get more grit than they need in their gizzard they just pass it. My turkeys do it pretty regularly. Its amazing how they are able to select the white quartz pebbles out of the pea gravel around the hot tub.
db

 

[4-H chicken mom]

That's normal. They have to clean the crop out sometimes.

 

[PatS]

Thanks!