SillyClucker Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 one of our chooks is doing black shiny poo - looks like a lump of tar. Its not runny, same as normal consistancy. We haven't changed their diet, layers mash as usual and topped up with what little grass they can peck at on their patch. The poo in their eglu tray after roosting is all normal greeny brown firm with a white topping, The black poo only is done in the run or on their patch. Anyone else seen this and is it something that we should be concerned about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Mine do black shiny poo when they've been eating peat out of the plant pots - could it be this??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SillyClucker Posted January 27, 2007 Author Share Posted January 27, 2007 Laura, it must be I have put peat in their dust bath mixed with wood ash from our fire. Just didn't think of that they must be eating it. Good grief their eating their own bath dust Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 mine eat their dust bath too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Yep - they LOVE eating dirt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Mine have a washing up bowl full of sand in their run, and I've seen them eating it. Trouble is, since then their egg shells have had a gritty feel to them. Is this the sand, or is that just coincidence?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Hmmmm - I too have a dust bath which is all sand plus a bit of diatom mixed in - my girls love to have a quick bite to eat before their bath but I haven't noticed any difference in their egg shells - always smooth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SillyClucker Posted January 27, 2007 Author Share Posted January 27, 2007 (edited) Hi Snowy, I reckon it must be the sand. there must be quartz in the sand which must be difficult to make into shell but still finds its way into the egg laying process - fascinating. Chicken keeping is always bringing up surprises. I wonder if on one of the nature programs they will ever be able to show how an egg is made with one of those small cameras Edited January 27, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 what are they like eh??!!! non chicken owners would not believe what a constant source of amusement and astonishment chickens can give. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 non chicken owners would not believe what a constant source of amusement and astonishment chickens can give. no matter how many hours you try to tell them about it!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SillyClucker Posted January 27, 2007 Author Share Posted January 27, 2007 There are so many things that i ponder over re chooks 1. what are combs for (not for your hair silly)?? 2. why are they so trusting to a potential predator?? 3. do they have like a cement mixer inside them for the shells?? i could go on - emmm perhaps i will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 There are so many things that i ponder over re chooks 1. what are combs for (not for your hair silly)?? 2. why are they so trusting to a potential predator?? 3. do they have like a cement mixer inside them for the shells??i could go on - emmm perhaps i will Its weird how THEY know they need grit isnt it??! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 There are so many things that i ponder over re chooks 1. what are combs for (not for your hair silly)?? 2. why are they so trusting to a potential predator?? 3. do they have like a cement mixer inside them for the shells?? i could go on - emmm perhaps i will Now that's an amazing thought - a little cement mixer churning around inside them, mixing up egg shell I really would love to see that process (cement mixer or not!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SillyClucker Posted January 27, 2007 Author Share Posted January 27, 2007 OK what about how well can a chicken fly. well i've never seen one fly over our house. Our nugget runs along and tries to launch but normally ends up crashing into snowy (her best friend). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Prada can launch herself from the steps in the garden down to the living room - sadly, the patio doors are in the way !!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SillyClucker Posted January 27, 2007 Author Share Posted January 27, 2007 Prada can launch herself from the steps in the garden down to the living room - sadly, the patio doors are in the way !!!! i'm picturing that - poor prada, wings out stretched and sliding down he window like in a cartoon. trust she's ok and doesn't do it more than once Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
