Poop Advice

[FreedomGalTx]

I have 6 hens. All 2yrs old except one. My 2 Wyandottes took a break & melted. They seem fine though they are the more skiddish. I have noticed poop that is different. Thin small poops vs the normal plop with white on top. There is some white but all are small and thin formed. Just let my girls out & it it coming from both of the Wyandottes. These are my "fat" birds. I caught one and though the crop doesn't feel almost concave like my others, it's easily palpated and seems empty with a bit of pressure. As a nurse, my thought is dehydration but that would mean they aren't drinking enough for some reason, there is water everywhere. Only change....I switched to nippers vs the half circles for cleanliness. I do see them drinking! Thoughts? Should I do a butt check? First pick is the others. 2nd the Wyandotte. FYI neither has laid since late Oct. One seems gearing up. She is squatting when I come near.

 

[azygous]

Your post is full of entertaining typos. I was trying to picture what "melting" would look like, and what "nippers" are. Kind of like a Sunday newspaper brain twister.

I think you're heading in the right direction suspecting dehydration. I also use nipple waterers for cleanliness. They're great, but some of the chickens never became big fans. So I place rubber dog bowls under the nipple waterers to both catch drips and to provide a conventional drink for those chickens that prefer to scoop and slurp their beverage.

 

[tviss711]

I have 6 hens. All 2yrs old except one. My 2 Wyandottes took a break & melted. They seem fine though they are the more skiddish. I have noticed poop that is different. Thin small poops vs the normal plop with white on top. There is some white but all are small and thin formed. Just let my girls out & it it coming from both of the Wyandottes. These are my "fat" birds. I caught one and though the crop doesn't feel almost concave like my others, it's easily palpated and seems empty with a bit of pressure. As a nurse, my thought is dehydration but that would mean they aren't drinking enough for some reason, there is water everywhere. Only change....I switched to nippers vs the half circles for cleanliness. I do see them drinking! Thoughts? Should I do a butt check? First pick is the others. 2nd the Wyandotte. FYI neither has laid since late Oct. One seems gearing up. She is squatting when I come near.

Like someone already suggested, maybe leave a small bowl under the nipples for the girls until they can figure out what they are supposed to do. I’m not sure if you already do this, but you could also pick up some powdered electrolytes for hens and add to their water until they’re drinking normally again. Just make sure you dose correctly and keep the water container clean. It certainly doesn’t hurt, there are several different kinds out there. We don’t keep it in their water all the time, but we will add it when someone seems “off”, or if we know they are recovering from something. Just offers that extra boost of hydration!

 

[FreedomGalTx]

Your post is full of entertaining typos. I was trying to picture what "melting" would look like, and what "nippers" are. Kind of like a Sunday newspaper brain twister.

I think you're heading in the right direction suspecting dehydration. I also use nipple waterers for cleanliness. They're great, but some of the chickens never became big fans. So I place rubber dog bowls under the nipple waterers to both catch drips and to provide a conventional drink for those chickens that prefer to scoop and slurp their beverage.

Sorry about the typos it was early . Thanks, I will put a water bowl under one the waterers.

 

[FreedomGalTx]

Like someone already suggested, maybe leave a small bowl under the nipples for the girls until they can figure out what they are supposed to do. I’m not sure if you already do this, but you could also pick up some powdered electrolytes for hens and add to their water until they’re drinking normally again. Just make sure you dose correctly and keep the water container clean. It certainly doesn’t hurt, there are several different kinds out there. We don’t keep it in their water all the time, but we will add it when someone seems “off”, or if we know they are recovering from something. Just offers that extra boost of hydration!

Thanks. I do have probiotic powder that I use when I think they need it. I'll try the bowl.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

When did you check their crops? They should be empty first thing in the morning before eating or drinking, but nicely filled when going to roost at night. Incientally, that's a good time to check them, just at dark at roosting, then you don't have to chase and try to catch them.