Chickens can still get diseases and sicknesses.
As an owner, it is important for you to observe everything that can give you an idea about the overall health of your flocks.
While chickens may behave unusually which can already catch your attention and worries, checking them for other symptoms can be more useful as a confirmation.
One great example is their poop.
Their wastes tell so much about what is happening inside them.
If they have runny poop, it may highly suggest that something is wrong with their body, particularly their digestive system.
Runny poop may be caused by excessive amounts of protein or large amounts of water.
It may also suggest that your chicken is having diarrhea which is often caused by harmful bacteria.
You should observe your chicken more carefully to spot other symptoms and unusual behavior, and immediately consult a veterinarian.
Let’s get into more detail in this article
Why Are My Chicken’s Poop Runny?
A normal poop of chicken is typically brown with a white cap on it.
They may also expel waste called cecal droppings – a loose, foul smelling poop without a white cap.
These droppings are commonly the waste in the small intestine that chickens expel several times a day.
So, what does it mean when your chicken’s poop is runny?
It will likely suggest one thing: diarrhea.
A runny and extremely watery poop of chickens is likely a symptom of diarrhea.
More than a poop, it might look more like a foul smelling colored water.
Possible Causes Of Diarrhea In Chickens
Diarrhea is caused by many possible factors.
There are instances where diarrhea is just the result of a poor eating diet which is treatable, while some may be because of a more serious condition that is hard to treat, or worse, completely un-treatable.
Luckily, those bad cases are uncommon.
Here are the possible (and most common) causes of diarrhea in chickens:
1. Overeating
If your chicken has been eating a lot of food, then it is possible that it will get diarrhea.
Particularly, there are foods that will cause them to have their poop watery when eaten excessively like blueberries.
2. Heat Stress
When the weather is extremely hot, chickens will tend to drink more water than usual.
This will cause an imbalance in their body as water will have more amount than the food intake, ultimately causing diarrhea.
3. Parasites
One of the most common causes of diarrhea is the presence of parasites inside your chicken.
It can be worms and other parasites, such as coccidiosis.
Coccidiosis is a parasite that attacks and affects the intestinal lining and the gut of your chicken, leading to diarrhea.
4. Viruses and Bacteria
Likewise, viruses and bacteria can also cause diarrhea to your fowls.
There are also certain viruses that make your chicken extremely sick, having diarrhea as one of the symptoms.
These diseases are infectious bronchitis, fowl cholera, avian tuberculosis, marek’s disease, and a lot more.
5. Too Much Protein
More than having a lot of protein-intake, it is much more accurate to say that diarrhea is also caused by poor diet.
If your fowl is eating food high in calcium but low in phosphorus, and is not drinking properly, then diarrhea may happen.
How Do You Treat Diarrhea In Chickens?
Treating diarrhea may actually be easier.
In most cases that the diarrhea is caused by poor diet, you may simply give your chickens better food to eventually stop it.
Diarrhea caused by overeating does not really require any treatment.
Simply remove the food that they are consuming excessively, and provide them with clean water with vitamins and electrolytes.
Same method to treat diarrhea caused by heat stress.
However, other causes of diarrhea such as parasites, viruses, and bacteria require attention from a veterinarian.
What Does Unhealthy Chicken Poop Look Like?
As mentioned, a normal and healthy chicken will poop a brown with white cap or dust on it.
Their poop comes in varying sizes and shapes.
If your fowl has been dropping poop that looks like what has been described, then there is no need to worry.
Unhealthy chicken poop, however, is different.
It can come with varying sizes, shapes, and most importantly – colors.
Some may be bloody, green, black, brown, yellowish, and even completely white.
Depending on the disease, abnormal chicken poop will vary.
What Foods Give Chickens Diarrhea?
Chickens need a healthy diet to have a healthy digestion and be overall healthy.
In reality, any food that is being consumed way excessively can cause diarrhea to chickens.
Some chickens that have deep love for their favorite food may even cause diarrhea as well.
A diet that is also too much in protein can cause stomach upset to your flock.
Avoid feeding your chicken a spoiled feed, human food, pet food, moldy, processed food, and even those with high fat and sugar content.
When Should I Be Concerned About Chicken Poop?
It is best as a chicken owner to always check the poop of your chickens.
Observe whether their waste is normal, or they are already having abnormal droppings.
If your chicken is dropping abnormal poop, such as those in different colors or runny consistency, then it is best to already be concerned about their health.
Carefully watch and observe your chickens if they are also behaving abnormally.
They may also show signs of other symptoms such as frequent and excessive droppings, lethargy, weakness, no appetite, and other possible abnormal symptoms.
Check out my article – Chicken has green poop
Wrapping Up
Chicken poop tells so much about the health of your chicken.
A normal chicken poop is usually brown in color with white cap on it.
If your fowl has been releasing abnormal droppings, such as greeny, bloody, yellowish, or even a milky color, then it is best to assume that something is wrong with your chicken.
Diarrhea is caused by many factors: overeating, heat stress, parasites, bacteria, and viruses.
Some cases are treatable, while there might be instances where diarrhea is nothing but a symptom of a more serious illness.
If you suspect that your chicken is behaving abnormally and has unusual poops, the best way to help them is to consult a veterinarian.
