Molting Hen With Very Watery Poop - Not Worms

[JBirdy]

Hello,

I'm wondering if someone might be able to help me figure out why one of my chickens is under the weather. She's a bantam silkie who seems to be going through a pretty big molt - she is in the regrowth process now. About three weeks ago (around the time she began molting), she stopped laying and developed very watery diarrhea. It appears to be clear with some normal looking solid matter in it (but with the majority being runny). I thought it might be worms, so I dewormed with fenbendazole a few days ago, which didn't seem to have an effect. She is active, eating, and foraging normally.

Does anyone have any knowledge as to what this might be? I don't want to leave it in the case that it becomes worse. She regularly gets probiotics, so I've got that aspect covered. Help!

 

[JBirdy]

This is what her poop is looking like (minus the watery parts).

 

[cottagecheese]

Sorry no one answered you for such a long time.

Very watery diarrhea for three weeks, normal behavior, no worms, too old for coccidiosis, I assume she doesn't dirty her vent feathers... Stress - is she afraid of the others? Or are you feeding lots of fruits and vegetables? Those would be the 'not difficult to fix' answers.

Could be bacterial, hopefully it isn't. Are you sure you're keeping the ph optimal with the probiotics? What exact probiotics does she get?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hello,

I'm wondering if someone might be able to help me figure out why one of my chickens is under the weather. She's a bantam silkie who seems to be going through a pretty big molt - she is in the regrowth process now. About three weeks ago (around the time she began molting), she stopped laying and developed very watery diarrhea. It appears to be clear with some normal looking solid matter in it (but with the majority being runny). I thought it might be worms, so I dewormed with fenbendazole a few days ago, which didn't seem to have an effect. She is active, eating, and foraging normally.

Does anyone have any knowledge as to what this might be? I don't want to leave it in the case that it becomes worse. She regularly gets probiotics, so I've got that aspect covered. Help!

You mention she is active/eating/drinking normally - the poop can be from a number of things. I would keep watch on her just to make sure she continues eating well.
Since she is molting, she may feel a bit droopy or vunerable at this time, extra protein in the diet may help her along (fish, meat, eggs) or higher protein feed (chick starter/all flock). Poultry vitamins in the water once a week.

You dewormed her - what dosage and how many days of fenbendazole?

If the loose stools continue you can give her a small amount of white cooked rice with buttermilk to see if that firms it up.