jennym Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 Hi all, I've read up on watery poos and have an idea to try but I thought I'd post here in case anyone has any other suggestions. I've just come inside from the garden with our first egg - very exciting but I'm also a bit concerned. Lucy, our gingernut ranger, had a VERY watery poo while I was out there. I spoke to OH to tell him about the egg and he said he'd seen her do that yesterday too. The girls are very new and I've only just started to be able to pick Lucy up - first time I did it (3 days ago) I remember I was a bit surprised that her breastbone was quite pronounced. I assumed this was normal as she seems perfectly fine and is eating & drinking normally. Now I'm not sure - I have no frame of reference though as she's the first and only hen I've ever held. The last 'normal' poo I remember seeing from her was a smelly (but normal) caecal poop that missed me by millimetres (she was on my lap and it dropped between my legs, urgh). That was about 3 days ago. TBH I haven't been looking so I'm not sure about more recent poos. After reading up on watery poos I thought I'd try a bit of yogurt mixed with oats to see if that helps settle her tummy. I'll pick her up again and have a good feel, and see if she feels 'right', or at least as close as I can tell going by others' descriptions. Is it possible that she laid the first egg and that the strain of producing it has just made her tummy a bit funny? I don't know whose egg it is, didn't catch the culprit in the act. Do you have any other advice? Thanks for looking, Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henchanted Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 Hi Jenny it took us all a while to adjust to how our gingernut/warren/goldline hens feel skinny compared to table hens we buy to eat, they are so different. Since your girls are new they are surely getting exposed and used to new bugs, parasites and foods for the first time. I remember each of my girls took it turn to spook me with their toilet habits and I learnt about and did the following 1) ensure clean water (some people swear by adding apple cider vinegar- good for the hens digestion, immune system and a deterrent to parasites). I fill up a watering can with tap water to stand overnight so it looses its bleachiness, or clean rain water. Water left out over night may be contaminated by rodents and other birds carrying diseases 2) give bokashi bran (a teaspoon per hen sprinkled onto feed, most days)- this oat bran has a combination of good bacteria to colonize the hens digestive system, helping them to absorb more nutrients and be a deterrent to parasites and makes poo much firmer and easier to dispose of. 3) consider treating for worms ( Flubenvet is reportedly very effective ) this is the season when worms are more prevalent being present in soil and spread by wild birds droppings and those of other pets eg roundworms from cats/dogs 4) although very tempting, giving regular treats means their digestive system is being challenged by things that may not always be suitable and it stops them eating the well balanced feed we buy for them. 5) lastly ensure there is a good supply of mixed grit so your hens are able to digest their food and not pass it out partially digested We still see the odd squirty /watery and occasionally even a bit frothy poo but generally things have settled and the girls are happy, lively, comical and skinny egg-laying little treasures. Hope that helps a little Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennym Posted June 7, 2011 Author Share Posted June 7, 2011 Thanks Henchanted, I do feel better now. She's definitely her bright perky self, and eating lots. I just put out some oats & yogurt for them and it was pretty funny - lots of head shaking, beak wiping etc, but I think they got some into their tummies. I was thinking about getting some bokashi bran and cider vinegar anyway, so I will do that now. I'll also look into ordering some flubenvet. They have DE in their feed as a worm prevention measure. We have been giving them treats but only in the afternoon after they've had their fill of pellets. We're trying to tame them a bit and the treats definitle help! But we'll keep the treats to a minimum - just enough to get them back into the run in the evening Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henchanted Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 You already sound like a pro who knows what they are doing Isn't it funny how we can't help but worry about the little darlings My OH comes in from the garden reporting something he thinks is odd occasionally and I can calmly reassure him as I have spent and still do much more time and 'henergy' on them than he has so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...