[langdon]

  i know that this is not a pretty subject to talk about but lately when im cleaning the chicken house in the mornings im finding loose stools amongst the chicken manure is this something to be worried about or is it just one of those things. and again has anyone any sugestions about cutting down on layer pellets during winter months when egg production slows down or does it really matter thanks anyway for all replys they are a great help

[Womble]

Sorry, haven't a clue about your question (except try feeding them melon - then you'll really know about it!), but what a cracking title for an introductory post! 

Welcome along!! 

[little blue]

Yes, I thought that... is 'loose stools' an appropriate username?
Sorry, I'm a bit giddy today!

Really though Langdon, can you be more descriptive re the poo?  The white stuff is always more runny, being more like urine than poo, and often we find really sloppy greeny ones now again, with no obvious efffects to the hens

PS welcome!

[sandy]

Hello, when you have animals you become a poo expert!!! I think I get a mixture of loose and solid poo's from my chickens so am not sure if it is unusual at all, as long as they look chirpy and well!! maybe they are eating too much fruit or greens, I am no expert!! I too wounder about cutting down on the pellets but they seem to be eating much more lately...anyway, when you mentioned stools I always remember a friend going to the Dr's who asked him what colour his stools were and of course he gave that classic answer "Red Formica"

[JulieS]

When I started with chickens a local farmer, who has kept chickens for years and years said to me to watch out for the 'number 8 pooh'!  Apparently every 8th pooh is very stinky and tends to be looser and a different colour to the others.

Could it be that?

[sandy]

 ;)Thats sounds a difficult task, dose that mean each chickens 8th one!!!

[JulieS]

Yes, every chicken's 8th pooh.   

[sandy]

OK!!

[carl]

If you go on the practical poultry forum they are obsessed with chicken by product. the have a section on it and pictures for reference. please, no pictures on here, I'm too delicate

[sandy]

Just been cleaning up the garden and I think all my chickens do thier 8th one next to the garden bench poooooooooooh!!!

[northfifeduckling]

welcome, langdon - what a lovely start on the introduction page 
out of interest, does the 8th rule apply to ducks, too, JulieS? They are producing the described consistency most of the time, can it get any runnier??

[JulieS]

I'm afraid I don't know about the ducks northfifeduckling.....I'll ask the farmer when I see him tomorrow, he seems to know a lot about all sorts of things     Although from what I've read about ducks I think it is quite runny all the time.

[sandy]

custard