Worms or undigested rice?

[crikkit]

I fed my hens a little bit of cooked rice a couple of days ago. The next morning, I freaked out seeing what I thought was worms in the poop when I opened the coop. Then I remembered the rice, and figured that was it. There was still some of this again this morning though. It doesn't really look like the photos of worms I have seen, but it doesn't look like rice either. If these are worms, can anyone ID the type so I can get the right kind of wormer? They have never been wormed before.

 

[LizzzyJo]

I'd say rice, but I'm not an expert. Also, the timing would be impeccable for it to be worms right after you happen to feed them rice.

 

[Mosey2003]

I'd guess tapeworms, they're segmented like that. Cooked rice is super digestible, I'd be shocked to see it come out whole, and those segments are longer than rice too.

Although they kind of look like feather shafts too, actually. Anybody molting? Try to squish one

 

[crikkit]

I'd guess tapeworms, they're segmented like that. Cooked rice is super digestible, I'd be shocked to see it come out whole, and those segments are longer than rice too.

Although they kind of look like feather shafts too, actually. Anybody molting? Try to squish one

It was those segmented pieces that I was worried about too ... they are longer than rice. But now that you mention it, one of them is just coming out of a molt. I'm thinking about doing one of those mail-in worm tests. A year ago you never could have convinced me I would be taking photos of chicken poop and posting them on the internet ... much less that I might be squishing the chicken poop!

 

[Mosey2003]

It was those segmented pieces that I was worried about too ... they are longer than rice. But now that you mention it, one of them is just coming out of a molt. I'm thinking about doing one of those mail-in worm tests. A year ago you never could have convinced me I would be taking photos of chicken poop and posting them on the internet ... much less that I might be squishing the chicken poop!

Have you asked local vets if they'd run fecals? That's a lot faster and cheaper than doing mail-in tests. Ones that do large animals especially ought to be willing to run some fecals for you. Seriously though, I'd try to squish one of those big pieces. Turn a bag onto your hand inside out to pick it up if you want, or wear a glove. That would tell you something fast.

 

[LizzzyJo]

It was those segmented pieces that I was worried about too ... they are longer than rice. But now that you mention it, one of them is just coming out of a molt. I'm thinking about doing one of those mail-in worm tests. A year ago you never could have convinced me I would be taking photos of chicken poop and posting them on the internet ... much less that I might be squishing the chicken poop!

Oh, my gosh - the things I didn't know I would care about before I got chickens! lol - preach!

 

[Sue Gremlin]

I don't see any sign of tapeworms in that photo. That looks like feather shaft sheaths to me (not sure if that's the right name). Are any of your chickens currently moulting?

 

[crikkit]

I don't see any sign of tapeworms in that photo. That looks like feather shaft sheaths to me (not sure if that's the right name). Are any of your chickens currently moulting?

Yes, my orpington is just coming out of a molt. I believe the poop in question is hers.

 

[Skipper81]

I’d just treat for worms and then your in the clear

 

[Sue Gremlin]

PM me if you'd like a fecal exam for your chickens, I'm a student and will do it for you for free, you just need to be able mail some fresh poop to me.