As a backyard chicken keeper for over 15 years, I’ve seen my fair share of chicken poop issues Let’s face it – dealing with chicken diarrhea isn’t fun, but it’s an important part of keeping your flock healthy The first time I saw runny droppings in my coop, I panicked and thought all my birds were dying! Now I know better, and I’m here to share what I’ve learned with you.
Chicken diarrhea can range from a minor, temporary issue to a sign of serious illness. The good news? Many causes are easily treatable when caught early.
What Does Normal Chicken Poop Look Like?
Before we dive into diarrhea, let’s talk about what normal chicken droppings should look like:
- Normal droppings: Brown with a white cap (urate). This white cap is normal – chickens don’t urinate separately like mammals.
- Cecal droppings: Loose, foul-smelling droppings without a white cap. These are normal and happen several times daily.
When droppings become consistently watery, have unusual colors or smell particularly bad (worse than normal chicken poop!) that’s when you’re dealing with diarrhea.
12 Common Causes of Chicken Diarrhea
1. Overindulgence in Food
Signs: Temporary diarrhea after eating excessive amounts of certain foods.
My chickens once got into my blackberry patch and had black/red diarrhea afterward. I was convinced they were dying until I discovered them happily gorging on berries!
Solution: Remove the food source and monitor. This type of diarrhea typically resolves within 24-36 hours.
2. Heat Stress
Signs: Watery, clear whitish droppings during hot weather.
Why it happens: Chickens drink more water and eat less during hot weather.
Solution: Provide cool, fresh water with electrolytes, shade, and shallow water pans for chickens to stand in.
I make my own electrolyte solution when it’s hot:
- 8 teaspoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 gallon of water
3. Antibiotics
Signs: Diarrhea while on antibiotic treatment.
Why it happens: Antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria in the gut.
Solution: Consult your vet if diarrhea is severe. Provide electrolytes and probiotics after treatment.
4. Coccidiosis
Signs: Brownish, black or yellowish diarrhea, possibly with blood. Other symptoms include ruffled feathers, decreased appetite, and weakness.
This is one of the most serious causes of diarrhea, especially in chicks 4-8 weeks old.
Solution: Medicated chick feed can prevent this. If it occurs, you’ll need specific antibiotics from a vet. Clean the coop thoroughly to prevent reinfection.
5. Worm Infestation
Signs: Foamy diarrhea, sometimes with visible worms.
Solution: Deworm your flock regularly. Follow the instructions on the worming medication and observe egg withdrawal periods.
6. General Stress
Signs: Temporary diarrhea during stressful events.
Common stressors: Adding new chickens, changing feed, moving to a new coop, predator scares.
Solution: Give chickens time to adjust. Reduce stressors when possible.
7. Moldy or Spoiled Feed
Signs: Severe diarrhea after eating bad feed.
Solution: Always check feed for freshness. Don’t store feed longer than a month in warm weather. Provide fresh feed and water with electrolytes.
8. Infectious Coryza
Signs: Upper respiratory symptoms plus diarrhea. Chickens may have closed eyes and open mouths.
Solution: Requires antibiotics from a vet. Isolate sick birds to prevent spread.
9. Egg Yolk Peritonitis
Signs: Yellow diarrhea that looks like egg yolk.
This is a serious and often fatal condition where egg material enters the abdominal cavity.
Solution: Requires immediate veterinary care.
10. Marek’s Disease
Signs: Diarrhea along with neurological symptoms like twisted neck, paralysis.
Solution: Vaccination of chicks is the best prevention. No effective treatment once infected.
11. Viruses (Newcastle, Infectious Bronchitis)
Signs: Diarrhea along with respiratory symptoms, decreased egg production.
Solution: Consult a vet. Some viral infections have vaccines available.
12. Fowl Cholera
Signs: Diarrhea, nasal discharge, lethargy, possibly sudden death.
Solution: Requires antibiotic treatment and long-term management.
What Different Colors of Chicken Diarrhea Mean
The color of your chicken’s diarrhea can provide important clues about what’s wrong:
| Color | Possible Causes |
|---|---|
| Brown watery | Bacterial infections, excess water intake |
| White | Pullorosis (Salmonella), kidney issues |
| Yellow/Brownish | Coccidiosis, liver disease |
| Green | Diet (greens), necrotic enteritis, coccidiosis |
| Black | Bleeding in upper GI tract, blackberry consumption |
| Red/Blood-streaked | Coccidiosis, intestinal injury |
| Foamy (any color) | Worm infestation |
When to Worry About Chicken Diarrhea
Not all diarrhea requires immediate attention. Here’s when to be concerned:
Call a vet if:
- Diarrhea contains blood
- Chicken is lethargic or not eating/drinking
- Multiple birds are affected
- Diarrhea persists more than 3 days
- Other symptoms are present (respiratory issues, neurological signs)
Less urgent (but monitor closely):
- Temporary diarrhea after dietary indiscretion
- Mild diarrhea during hot weather
- Occasional loose droppings with no other symptoms
How to Treat Chicken Diarrhea
- Identify and remove the cause if possible (spoiled food, excessive treats)
- Provide clean, fresh water with electrolytes
- Keep the coop clean to prevent reinfection
- Isolate sick birds if infection is suspected
- Call a vet for bloody diarrhea or if birds appear very sick
Preventing Chicken Diarrhea
- Feed quality feed appropriate for your chickens’ age and status
- Limit treats to 10% of diet
- Practice good biosecurity:
- Don’t visit other flocks and then your own without changing clothes
- Keep wild birds away from your chickens
- Control flies and mosquitoes
- Quarantine new birds for 30 days
- Keep the coop clean and dry
- Provide fresh water daily
- Deworm regularly based on your vet’s recommendation
- Vaccinate against preventable diseases
My Experience with Chicken Diarrhea
Last summer, we had a serious heat wave that affected my entire flock. I noticed several of my hens had watery droppings and seemed lethargic. I immediately set up fans, provided electrolyte water, and made wet mash for them to encourage eating.
I also gave them shallow pans of water to stand in, which they loved! Within a day, they were back to normal. It taught me that something as simple as heat can cause diarrhea, but quick action makes all the difference.
Final Thoughts
Chicken diarrhea isn’t always a sign of impending doom. Often, it’s a temporary issue related to diet, weather, or minor stress. However, knowing when to take action and when to call a vet can make the difference between a healthy flock and disaster.
Remember – you’re the best detective when it comes to your flock’s health. Pay attention to their droppings, behavior, and appearance. The more you observe, the better you’ll get at spotting problems early.
Have you dealt with chicken diarrhea in your flock? What worked for you? Share your experiences in the comments below!
Cracking the Chicken Poop Code: Understanding Causes Of Diarrhoea in Poultry
Diarrhoea is a condition characterised by loose or watery poop in chicken, often accompanied by increased frequency and volume of defecation. In poultry, diarrhoea can be caused by various factors, including bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections, dietary imbalances, and environmental stressors.
Poultry diarrhoea is caused by common bacterial infections such as E. coli, Salmonella spp., Clostridium perfringens, and Campylobacter jejuni. These bacteria can infect the digestive tract of birds, leading to inflammation and irritation, resulting in diarrhoea.
Viral infections are another significant cause of diarrhoea in poultry. Adeno virus, Reo virus, Rota virus, Newcastle disease (ND) virus, avian influenza virus (AIV) and infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) are the most common viral infections that can affect your poultry’s health. These viruses can cause inflammation of the intestinal lining, leading to diarrhoea.
Parasitic infections can also cause symptoms of diarrhoea in chickens. Coccidiosis, a parasitic disease that affects poultry, is caused by the protozoan parasite Eimeria spp. It affects the intestinal tract of poultry, leading to diarrhoea and other digestive issues.
Feeding birds with unbalanced diets or contaminated feeds can lead to diarrhoea. Feeding birds excessive amounts of salt, protein or fats can also cause digestive issues.
Environmental stressors can also contribute to the development of unusual poop. Overcrowding, poor ventilation, and extreme temperature fluctuations can all contribute to developing diarrhoea in poultry.
Steps To Prevent Poultry Diarrhea
- Improving Nutrition: This can also help prevent diarrhoea in poultry. Providing a balanced diet that meets the nutritional requirements of the birds can help maintain the health of the digestive system and prevent diarrhoea. Additionally, providing clean and uncontaminated feed and water can help prevent the development of diarrhoea.
- Environmental Management: Managing the environment of the poultry farm can also help prevent unusual stool. Ensuring adequate ventilation, reducing overcrowding, and maintaining appropriate temperature, humidity levels, and poultry winter management can all help reduce the risk of diarrhoea.
- Vaccination: Vaccination can also help prevent the development of diarrhoea in poultry. Vaccines are available for several viral and bacterial infections that can cause diarrhoea in young chickens. Vaccinating birds can help prevent the development of these infections.
- Proper Hygiene: Maintain a clean and hygienic environment for your poultry. Keep their living area clean and dry, and regularly remove any litter or droppings. We previously discussed about litter management in poulty , you can check out this blog also.
- Water Management: Ensure that your poultry always has access to clean and fresh water. Ensure the water source is contamination-free and monitor water quality frequently.
- Balanced Diet: Feed your poultry a balanced diet with proper nutrients. Avoid sudden changes in their diet, as it can cause digestive problems.
- Biosecurity Measures: Implement biosecurity measures to prevent introducing diseases to your poultry. This includes controlling the movement of your farm’s people, animals, and equipment.
4 Causes of Diarrhea and Wet Droppings in Poultry
FAQ
How do you know if a hen has diarrhea?
Diarrhea in chickens will be very loose or not formed at all, it may look like colored water. When the dropping has a loose consistency and becomes watery and/or foul smelling it is diarrhea. In addition to this if your hen looks ragged and tatty and sits off by herself then the alarm bells should start ringing – this is a sick hen.
What causes diarrhea in chickens?
Infections such as bacterial or viral gastroenteritis can lead to diarrhea in chickens. Common pathogens include Salmonella, E. coli, coccidia, or infectious bronchitis virus. These infections are often contagious and can spread among the flock if proper measures are not taken. Dietary issues can also contribute to chicken diarrhea.
What happens if a chicken has diarrhea?
Chronic diarrhea can lead to dehydration and malnutrition, compromising the health of the affected chickens. If diarrhea is accompanied by other concerning symptoms such as blood in the stool, severe lethargy, respiratory distress, or significant weight loss, immediate veterinary attention is necessary.
Do chickens have loose stools?
However, if you notice unusual loose stools like the ones described below, contact a vet as soon as possible. Loose dropping or chicken diarrhea is common in summer or hot weather since chickens drink lots of water. However, continuous diarrhea signifies a severe infection or disease that should be diagnosed. What does chicken diarrhea look like?
How do you treat chicken diarrhea?
Treating chicken diarrhea effectively involves addressing the underlying cause. Antibiotics or anti-parasitic medications may be necessary if an infection or parasite infestation is identified. Adjusting the diet to ensure proper nutrition and addressing any stressors in the chickens’ environment are also important steps in resolving diarrhea.
Why does my chicken poop runny?
Worms and chicken diarrhea An overload of intestinal worms can cause gut damage, giving your chicken runny poop. The easiest way to find out if worms are behind the watery droppings is by taking a fecal sample to your vet. They should be able to perform a quick, simple test to determine if your chickens have an intestinal worm overload.
How do you treat diarrhea in chickens?
What does coccidiosis poop look like in chickens?
What does it mean if my chickens have watery poop?
How to treat diarrhea in birds at home?