Keeping a flock of chickens can be a lot of fun.
Most chicken owners will tell you that it’s a relatively easy task caring for chickens.
And in most cases, the easiest way to know if your chicken isn’t doing too well is by simply taking a look at its feces.
Greenish or watery poop isn’t something that you should ignore, as it clearly indicates that all is not right with your chicken.
So, what does it mean if your chicken is pooping green?
Generally, greenish poop is an obvious sign of a stomach upset.
However, it isn’t just the color of your chicken’s poop that signals towards an unwell chicken, the texture of the feces is of equal importance.
You see, if your chicken is eating too many greens, it will start to poop green too.
But, so long as the texture is not loose and watery, you can take it easy.
So, without further ado, let’s take a deeper look into the subject of how chicken owners can keep an eye on their flock’s healthfulness by examining their fowl’s droppings.
What Does It Mean When A Chicken Poops Green? (In Detail)
There are several different reasons when chickens start to poop green, and no, not on every occasion does green poop signify disease.
Here are a few reasons when chickens poop green without being ill.
- Dehydration Or Starvation – When chickens do not have steady access to clean drinking water or ample food, chickens start to pass green feces. You see, the liver secretes bile to digest food, but when there is no food to digest in the chicken’s intestines, the bile blends with the poop and changes with the color of the poop.
- Free-Ranging On Greens – If your chickens are free-range and have a diet full of grass, weeds, leafy greens, then it is perfectly normal for your birdies to poop green.
On the other hand, green and watery dropping can sometimes be a clear sign of diarrhea in chickens.
Poultry can have green poop when they suffer from:
- Coccidiosis
- Worms
- Viruses
- Bacterial diarrhea caused by infections
- Kidney damage
- High protein diet
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Coccidiosis In Chickens?
Coccidiosis in chickens is caused by a microscopic parasite called coccidia transmitted from one infected bird to another through the droppings.
Basically, if a bird that is suffering from coccidiosis leaves even a trace of dropping in the feeder or waterer or the bedding of one of your flock of chickens, then the entire flock can end up with coccidiosis.
Poultry infected with coccidiosis often have common symptoms such as:
- Loss of appetite
- Rapid weight loss
- Ruffled feathers
- Droopiness
- Severe diarrhea
- Pale comb or skin
- Blood or mucus in the droppings
- Failing to lay eggs
- Laying eggs inconsistently
- Decreased growth rate in chicks
It isn’t necessary that the entire flock will exhibit similar symptoms.
If you believe that your flock has contracted coccidiosis, then it is best to head straight to the vet.
If you keep a flock of chickens with mature chickens as well as chicks, then you will have to get the vet to check the entire flock for coccidiosis.
Also, you should know that coccidiosis can cause mortalities in chickens if not treated timely.
That’s why it’s best not to put off going to the vet if you visit green poop with other symptoms in your flock, particularly if your chickens have mucus or blood in the poop.
Can Coccidiosis Be Cured?
You need not worry that coccidiosis is non-treatable. Coccidiosis can definitely be treated if it’s caught early.
As a matter of fact, if you can detect the signs of coccidiosis early, and get your chicken treated soon, then your birdie will unlikely suffer from severe health issues that come with coccidiosis later on.
However, you must keep in mind that you will have to get the entire flock treated for coccidiosis simultaneously.
Furthermore, you will also have to ensure that you clear up your flock’s bedding, water, and feeding sites thoroughly.
As coccidiosis is transmitted via the dripping infecting the water, food, or bedding areas, the only way to make sure that your birdies are safe is to give the entire chicken coop and free-ranging areas a thorough cleaning.
The most popular treatment for coccidiosis is Amprolium. Amprolium is an organic compound that blocks the parasite’s thiamine and prevents it from multiplying.
Usually, Amprolium is added to the infected chicken’s water supply, but when a chicken is too ill, the medication is directly administered orally.
In about seven days, chickens can be treated entirely.
In most cases, chickens show an improvement in health after twenty-four hours after the first dose.
But, when the symptoms are too severe, or the weather conditions are too humid or hot, chicken owners are advised to repeat the course twice with a few days gap in the middle.
How Do You Treat Diarrhea In Chickens?
Chickens can get diarrhea for several reasons.
You see, chickens don’t just get diarrhea when they are sick.
Chickens can suffer from diarrhea from poor management as well.
When chickens are kept too closely together, without proper ventilation, floor space, or access to get outdoors, your chickens will eventually fall sick.
Moreover, chickens may be sturdy creatures, but contaminated water supply and contaminated feeding sites, particularly free-ranging areas with wild weeds and herbs that can be dangerous for chickens to feed, can mean that your chickens will get diarrhea.
Also, chickens can contract viruses or bacterial infections such as Lymphoid, Leukosis, Marek’s disease, Colibacillosis.
Parasites such as threadworms or coccidiosis can cause diarrhea in chickens.
The surest way to keep chickens healthy is to provide clean and hygienic living conditions.
If you want your flock to be fit as a fiddle, ensure proper ventilation, clean drinking water, and provide a healthy and wholesome diet.
Another thing is, if you witness one chicken showing signs of illness, you should take immediate measures to quarantine the chicken so that the entire flock isn’t infected.
Wrapping Up
There’s no denying that chickens are robust creatures.
But, that doesn’t mean that your flock of chickens will do just as well without your care or attention.
If you provide hygienic living conditions for your chickens, clean drinking water, and a healthy diet for all of your chickens, there should be no reason why your chickens don’t thrive.
But, on the off chance you catch your chicken pooping green and watery, don’t wait too long to visit the local avian vet, especially if your chicken is off food and water and losing weight drastically.