[egbert]

Hi

As you know we picked up 3 ex-bats last Sunday. As we picked them up one, I have no idea which one, had some liquid pouring out which some of you suggested could be a broken egg inside.

For the rest of the day it did sit about a bit, but then on Monday I had 3 eggs, which I am sure came from the 3 ex-bats as the 2x Coppers also in the pen are not yet laying.  So if it did have a broken egg, presumably this would have been cleared out then? Since then I have only had 2 eggs a day though so possibly one has stopped laying.

(Just out of curiosity, someone somewhere told me the egg shell only goes hard once it is passed out and hits the air, is this right?)

Anyway, all 3 hens have settled in well and are all getting along, wandering about and eating, but one of them is doing diarrhoea type, runny poos. Its hard to be sure which one, but I think it is the one which is not laying. I am having trouble telling them apart at the moment, and am guessing about laying as they do it when I am not looking 

Is runny poo a problem - any ideas what I should do, or look for?

[joyofchicks]

The one with runny poo will probably have dirty tail feathers.  My hens have this occasionally and I don't worry unless it continues in one individual.  It's usually something I've given them with their afternoon 'snack'!

[plumseverywhere]

chickens do a variety of different poo's through out the day - some are runny, others big and white, some small and snail-like.
I think if the runny poo is quite watery or dark green then its not good.  Runny poo that looks like butterscotch angel delight is ok.(never eating that again now  )

stress of moving does funny things to chickens too.  one of my bluebells went very off colour for 2 weeks, I thought we'd lose her.  I put some aloe vera juice (from domestic fowl trust) into the water and she did perk up. she's laying daily now and queen of the pecking order!

if you are worried though, do take the one with the runny stuff to the vet.

[egbert]

Thanks - I checked with the BHWT as well - it sounds like its normal and nothing to worry about as she certainly doesnt seem off colour.

My smallest Copper Star which I was told was too young yet to lay, has laid her 1st ever egg. She spent a very long time in the nesting box and was quite picky about making a proper round nest to sit in. The final product was a half sized quite light shelled egg - lovely! My daughter was very excited and thinks she laid it just for her as its child size!

[doganjo]

Aw, that is so sweet!