Chicken Droppings: Understanding Cecal Poop and Normal Feces in Poultry
- Cecal Poop: If you notice a “pudding-like” dropping without the white urate cap, you are likely looking at cecal poop. Don’t be alarmed by its foul odor; it’s perfectly normal. Cecal droppings are produced in the chicken’s cecum and are expelled after every 8 to 10 regular droppings. This type of dropping is thicker and stickier than regular feces. Cecal poop has a pasty appearance, a strong odor, and is often mustard to dark brown in color. While it has a different appearance, cecal poop is a sign of proper digestive function.
- Normal Droppings or Intestinal Feces:
Chickens don’t just urinate; they also excrete urinary system waste in the form of urates, which is the white cap on top of the feces. Intestinal feces are expelled more frequently throughout the day. The solid brown or gray digestive waste is the fecal matter, which is typically firm enough to hold its shape. Chicken droppings consist of three parts:
- Fecal matter (feces): The solid part of the chicken dropping, composed of undigested nutrients.
- White urates (crystalline): The white part of the chicken dropping, composed of uric acid.
- Liquid urine: The liquid part of the chicken dropping, composed of metabolic waste.
What Does Normal Poultry Droppings Look Like? A Guide to Healthy Feces
Normal poultry droppings should be consistent, odorless or with a mild odor, and neither too firm nor too loose. By carefully observing the color, odor, volume, and consistency of the bird’s feces, potential diseases can be identified. Factors that affect the appearance of poultry droppings include:
- Type of bird: Different poultry species have different droppings.
- Diet: Diet can affect the color, odor, and consistency of droppings.
- Poultry health status: Diseases and digestive problems can change the appearance of droppings.
- Stress in poultry: Stress can loosen droppings.
- Weather: Hot weather can dry out droppings and cause heat stress in poultry. Cold weather can also disrupt the chicken’s digestive system.
Feces in seed-eating birds are typically green, as seeds do not give color to feces, and the green (yellowish-green) bile color is dominant. When using chicken feed, the color of the feces changes. For example, when consuming pellet feed, the color of the feces becomes brown, and when consuming red cabbage, it becomes red. The consistency of the feces also varies depending on the type of bird and the materials consumed. Poultry that eat fruits, vegetables, and other juicy foods have more watery droppings. Also, the use of pellet feed, which leads to increased water consumption, causes watery feces. Characteristics of healthy poultry feces include:
- Feces color: Brown or white (chicken feces may also be slightly greenish or yellowish due to diet).
- Shape of poultry feces: In the form of round and compressed pieces (stuck together and firm).
- Feces odor: Odorless or mild odor.
- Feces texture: Soft and slightly moist (not much moisture is observed around it).
- Chicken feces size: Proportional to the size of the bird.
Poultry Droppings as a Diagnostic Tool: Identifying Health Problems in Your Flock
Changes in chicken droppings can be one of the first signs of disease. Therefore, by quickly addressing even the slightest abnormal sign in chicken feces, you can prevent the spread of disease or serious losses in the flock. Understanding the path of food through the chicken’s digestive system can greatly help us understand chicken droppings. To learn about the poultry digestive system from mouth to cloaca, you can read the following article.
Article: Everything You Need to Know About the Chicken Digestive System: With Photos and Videos
In the article provided above, it is stated that the last stop for food is the cloaca. In the cloaca, the contents leaving the intestine combine with urates. If there are sudden changes in the color, consistency, and amount of poultry droppings, various factors must be carefully examined to solve the problem. In poultry farms, sudden changes in the entire flock are considered. This means that you suddenly encounter a sudden change in droppings in a significant percentage of the chicken flock, and at the same time, other changes such as a decrease in flock feed consumption. Changes in chicken droppings can indicate health, nutritional, or environmental problems. Minor changes in a limited number during a day in chicks can be ignored, as chicks can have different feeding habits. To diagnose chicken diseases through chicken feces, poultry farmers must do the following:
- Observe and carefully examine droppings: Check the chicken litter once or twice a day. Pay attention to the color, odor, shape, texture, and size of the droppings. In general, if you observe abnormal droppings in the chicken flock, consider whether it is an occasional occurrence or a recurring and high-number event.
- Check other signs in the flock: This point is very important. Changes in feces are only one sign. To correctly diagnose the cause, you must also pay attention to other changes in the bird. Such as: weight loss, loss of appetite, lethargy, sullen appearance, or decreased egg production. Sometimes, even to get the correct answer, you need to test and take samples from the flock.
- Record and maintain records: Regularly record the appearance of droppings to monitor changes.
- Changes in bird feces do not always mean disease: Other factors such as diet, stress, and environment can also affect bird feces.
- Consult a veterinarian: If you see any changes in droppings, consult a specialist or veterinarian.
In general, chicken droppings can provide valuable information about flock health to the poultry farmer. By carefully observing chicken droppings, the poultry farmer can be aware of the following:
- Chicken health: The color, odor, and consistency of chicken droppings can indicate the health or health problems of the bird.
- Chicken nutrition: The color and consistency of chicken droppings can indicate the quality of the bird’s nutrition.
- Chicken performance: The volume and consistency of chicken droppings can indicate the bird’s performance.
- Environmental conditions: The color and odor of chicken droppings can indicate environmental conditions such as humidity and temperature.
Chicken cecal poop: Understanding Cecal Feces
The cecum is a part of the chicken’s digestive system where food fermentation occurs. Cecal feces are typically dark and chocolate-colored. Keep in mind that cecal droppings, as mentioned above, are expelled once after every 8 to 10 normal chicken droppings. Chocolate-colored chicken droppings, also known as cecal droppings, are a natural part of the chicken’s digestive process. However, an abnormal increase in the amount of this type of dropping can be a sign of various problems. Because, as mentioned above, cecal droppings are expelled once after every 8 to 10 normal chicken droppings. If these droppings are seen in large numbers, this should be investigated. Issues such as sudden changes in food, stress, disease, and digestive problems can lead to this situation. In general, however, the flock is not threatened by a problem and it is a natural process that indicates cecal droppings.
Brown Diarrhea in Poultry: What Do Watery Chicken Droppings Indicate?
Watery poultry droppings should be carefully examined to determine whether the cause is digestive disorders or polyuria (increased urination). Droppings that are not properly formed, or that have excessive watery urine or an excessive urate portion, may indicate a kidney or metabolic problem. If the droppings are watery and clear, it is normal feces with more liquid around it. In general, in cases where poultry droppings become watery, check the following:
- If the chicken droppings contain a small amount of feces and mostly liquid urine and urate crystals, check if the chicken is eating. Even if the bird is at the food dish, it may not be eating. If this happens occasionally, there is no cause for concern, but if it becomes dominant, there is definitely a problem.
- A decrease or increase in the frequency of droppings or the amount of poultry feces can indicate a decrease in food consumption or interference with normal passage (such as vomiting).
These cases can indicate kidney or metabolic problems. Factors that cause watery poultry droppings or diarrhea include:
- Inappropriate dosage of ingredients in the diet: A sudden change in the type of food or a deficiency of essential nutrients can cause a change in droppings.
- Moldy and spoiled feed.
- Certain poultry diseases: Kidney diseases can cause an increase in urine volume and a decrease in feces. Gastrointestinal infections can also affect nutrient digestion and absorption, leading to a change in feces. A higher fluid concentration in feces can also indicate a bowel infection.
- Unreasonable use of drugs.
- Sudden change in the poultry diet.
- Stress in poultry: Stress caused by environmental changes, the presence of other animals, or improper housing conditions can disrupt digestive function and change droppings.
Watery Diarrhea in Chickens Due to Imbalance in Feed Formulation
Watery droppings or diarrhea can occur due to improper feeding in poultry. Excessive consumption of minerals, especially potassium, sodium, excess levels of magnesium (carbonate, sulfate, and oxide), high salt, calcium, sulfate or chloride, high protein, high vitamin D, or low vitamin A in the diet can lead to excessive water consumption and moist droppings.
Consumption of calcium in the form of stone, lime, or calcium phosphate in the chicken’s diet causes kidney involvement, which can lead to chick diarrhea. Young chicks are more susceptible. Non-starch carbohydrates (such as raffinose in soybean meal, lactose in wheat, pentosans in small grains, or sucrose) also lead to watery droppings.
In addition, the water consumed should also be checked for mineral concentration, especially sulfate and magnesium, which lead to increased water consumption. On the other hand, although the droppings appear liquid, dehydration can also cause an increase in urate concentration.
Paying attention to the ingredients consumed in the poultry diet is a very important and specialized issue. Proper feed formulation leads to optimal nutrition for farm animals, which contributes to the economy and environmental sustainability.
Moldy Feed and its Impact on Poultry Health
The presence of mycotoxins in poultry feed ingredients can significantly increase the moisture content of poultry droppings, leading to watery feces. Mycotoxins, such as ochratoxin, Oosporin, citrinin, and aflatoxin, irritate the digestive tract and cause pathological changes in the kidneys. Therefore, the quality of feed ingredients is paramount. To ensure optimal feed quality, it’s highly recommended to source brolier feed from reputable suppliers, such as Jahan Kaveh Ofogh Khazar Company. Contaminated feed or ingredients stored near other materials can also lead to cross-contamination, affecting other equipment and feed supplies. Regular cleaning and disinfection of feed storage and handling equipment are essential to prevent this. Furthermore, the use of low-quality or rancid fat in poultry feed can also result in watery droppings.
Key Considerations for Poultry Feed Management:
- Mycotoxin Control: Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by molds that can contaminate feed. Regular testing and sourcing feed from reliable suppliers are essential to minimize mycotoxin exposure.
- Feed Quality: High-quality feed ingredients are crucial for poultry health and performance. Using reputable feed companies helps to ensure feed quality.
- Storage and Handling: Proper storage and handling of feed materials are vital to prevent contamination and spoilage. Regular cleaning and disinfection of feed storage and handling equipment help prevent cross-contamination.
- Fat Quality: The quality of fat used in poultry feed can also impact droppings. Avoid using low-quality or rancid fats.
By paying close attention to these factors, poultry producers can minimize the risk of watery droppings and ensure the overall health and well-being of their flocks.
Article: For more information on the effects of mycotoxins, read the article on poultry gut health.
Disease as a Cause of Diarrhea in Poultry
Disease is a significant factor contributing to diarrhea in chickens. Diarrhea itself is a primary cause of damage to the gastrointestinal tract. Among the diseases that directly harm the intestines, coccidial infection is prominent. Therefore, the use of anti-coccidial supplements in poultry feed is essential, as it prevents not only coccidiosis but also necrotic enteritis and wet litter. Additionally, infections caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli), Campylobacter jejuni, and spirochetes can lead to loose droppings in chickens. Viral factors causing brown diarrhea in chickens include reovirus and adenovirus, which hinder nutrient absorption. If your chicken’s droppings are uniformly white, it may indicate a kidney disease, more common in older birds.
Malabsorption/maldigestion syndrome is another disease causing diarrhea in poultry. Intestinal viruses involved include reovirus, rotavirus, bacterial enterotoxins, E. coli, Clostridium, and Salmonella.
Improper Temperature and Humidity Control in Poultry Houses as a Cause of Diarrhea
Poultry farmers pay close attention to controlling the temperature and humidity inside and outside their poultry houses. Temperature and humidity significantly affect the water consumption of chicks and the quality of the litter. At high temperatures, chickens consume more water to cool themselves, resulting in more liquid droppings. In environments with high humidity combined with heat, problems can escalate, making it very difficult to maintain dry and friable litter. Increased water consumption during heat stress can also lead to changes in stool consistency. Conversely, cold temperatures can cause diarrhea and changes in stool type due to chilling.
It is essential to regularly check and maintain equipment in poultry systems. Malfunctions can have significant impacts, such as leaks in the water system that moisten the litter. The number of fans and ventilation must be appropriate for the poultry house, and the wind direction and ventilation type should be selected according to environmental conditions.
Article: For detailed information on poultry house ventilation methods and calculations, please refer to the article: “Poultry House Ventilation and Ventilation Calculation.”
Inappropriate Drug Usage as a Cause of Diarrhea in Poultry
Drug administration in poultry is another critical and specialized area that must be conducted under the guidance of experts or veterinarians. Understanding drug side effects and proper usage with appropriate dosages are vital aspects of the poultry industry. For example, medications like gentamicin and sulfonamides can cause kidney complications in poultry.
Sudden Dietary Changes in Poultry
Changes in poultry feed should be made slowly and according to established principles. For instance, the transition from starter to grower feed must be gradual. Abrupt changes in feed, raw materials, and physical quality all affect the balance of the gut microbiota and cause stress in birds. We have thoroughly examined all these aspects in the article “Maintaining Chicken Gut Health.” This article also explains how to gradually change feed over several days, as alterations in feed ingredients can disrupt the balance of the gut microbial flora.
The particle size of each feed component is another crucial and specialized consideration. Due to the varying digestive capacities of different materials in a chicken’s body, the particle sizes of different ingredients (soybean, corn, etc.) in the feed differ. If the particle sizes are not suitable, this can upset the balance of chicken gut health.
Other factors to consider include inappropriate dosages of feed additives. Sugars that ferment rapidly in the chicken’s digestive tract, high protein levels, and inappropriate doses of vitamins and heavy metals (such as zinc) in the feed are all factors that can disrupt the chicken’s gut balance.
Stress-Induced Diarrhea in Poultry
Any physical or physiological factor in poultry that leads to stress can cause diarrhea and watery droppings. Numerous factors contribute to stress in chickens, including poultry vaccination, environmental temperature (heat stress), and sudden changes in feed formulation.
Chocolate Diarrhea in Poultry: What Do Watery, Foamy Cecal Droppings in Chickens Indicate?
Foamy cecal discharge with large amounts of watery urates and brown, chocolate-colored foam can indicate malabsorption syndrome, dietary changes, and local enteritis.
- Primary Cecal Dysfunction: Watery cecal droppings with loss of consistency, foaming, and discoloration indicate primary cecal dysfunction.
- Malabsorption Syndrome: (Adenovirus, Reovirus) in young chicks.
- Dietary Changes: High lactose content in feed is not digested and absorbed in the small intestine but is fermented by the cecal flora.
- Local Enteritis: Clostridium perfringens infection, coccidiosis, worm infestation.
Treatment of Brown Diarrhea in Poultry: How to Treat Watery Diarrhea in Poultry
First, determine if this is an isolated incident or a recurring issue. If it is recurring, try to examine other factors within the flock, as a combination of elements will help you identify the cause. Generally, the necessary actions when observing brown diarrhea in chickens are as follows:
- Examination of Droppings:
- How frequent and copious are the droppings?
- What is the texture?
- Is there any blood visible?
- Examination of Feeding:
- Ensure that the chickens have access to fresh, high-quality feed.
- Check the condition of the water container.
- Verify if the chickens are actually eating.
- If necessary, have the chicken feed tested. Laboratory analysis will determine any excesses or deficiencies in the feed.
- If you have used any medications in the poultry feed, check the dosage and side effects. It is best to consult with a veterinarian before using any medication.
- Examination of Disease Symptoms:
- Look for other signs of illness such as lethargy, decreased activity, shivering, ruffled feathers, changes in breathing, or abnormal discharges. Also, pay attention to the chickens’ food and water consumption.
- Examination of Housing Conditions:
- Provide suitable housing conditions, including appropriate temperature, humidity, and ventilation.
- Avoid causing stress to the chickens. Have you suddenly changed the chickens’ feed? For example, have you abruptly switched from grower to finisher feed?
What Does Chicken Dropping Color Change Indicate?
Changes in poultry dropping color are a significant indicator that should be paid attention to. Each color can signify disease or an improper diet in the flock. Understanding what diseases each color indicates can help poultry farmers. In fact, sudden changes in dropping color may indicate digestive issues or other disorders.
Therefore, knowing what causes changes in poultry dropping color can be very helpful:
- Green Chicken Droppings: Can indicate bacterial infections, parasites, liver diseases, or an improper diet.
- Blue Chicken Droppings: Blue droppings in chickens can be caused by colored food or kidney problems.
- Light Brown Poultry Droppings: Can indicate dehydration or digestive problems.
- Yellow Chicken Droppings: Can indicate liver or gallbladder problems. Yellow, foamy, or greasy chicken droppings can indicate internal parasites (worms, coccidiosis), infections (bacterial or viral), a high-protein diet, or kidney dysfunction.
- White Chicken Droppings: White droppings indicate high urate levels and may be a sign of Salmonella disease.
- Red Poultry Droppings: Can indicate internal bleeding, lead poisoning, or kidney problems.
- Black Chicken Droppings: Can indicate gastrointestinal bleeding or heavy metal poisoning.
- Gray Droppings: Can indicate malabsorption of nutrients, a mixture of bile and urates in the droppings, or the presence of an antitrypsin factor (undercooked soybean or rapeseed).
What Does Green Poop/Droppings in Poultry Indicate?
Light green-tinged droppings can indicate sudden changes in environmental conditions. If the droppings are accompanied by green urine, low fecal matter, and dense mucus urates, the cause may be one of the following factors:
- Systemic Diseases: Such as E. coli infection, Newcastle disease, infectious bronchitis, leucocytozoonosis, coryza, CDR (Chronic Respiratory Disease), avian influenza, lymphoid leukosis.
- Liver Dysfunction and Abnormal Bile Secretion: Mycotoxins, fatty liver, heavy metals.
- Prolonged Starvation Due To: Infection, acute stressors (vaccination, medication, ambient temperature).
Article: For treatment methods and more information about Newcastle disease, infectious bronchitis, and avian influenza, you can click on the relevant links.
Blue Chicken Poop: What Does It Indicate?
The appearance of blue chicken poop is an abnormal sign that can signal various underlying health issues requiring close observation and prompt action. It’s crucial to first assess your poultry’s diet, as feed can significantly influence poop color. Certain dark or blue-hued foods and vegetables, like red cabbage and eggplant, might alter the droppings, typically resulting in purple, red, or dark brown poop rather than a complete blue coloration.
One of the most common causes of blue chicken poop is copper sulfate toxicity. Copper sulfate, sometimes used in poultry feed or as a fungicide, can cause blue poop when ingested in excess. Additionally, kidney problems, bacterial infections, and certain medications or feed additives can also lead to blue droppings. Generally, blue chicken poop can indicate the following problems:
- Copper Sulfate Toxicity: Overconsumption of copper sulfate, found in some feeds or fungicides, can result in blue-colored poop.
- Kidney Disease: Renal issues can affect poop color and consistency, sometimes causing a bluish or greenish-blue tint. Also, rodenticides can harm the bird’s kidneys.
- Bacterial Infections: Some bacterial infections might change poop color, although blue is less common than with copper sulfate toxicity.
- Consumption of certain vegetables and food: The color of the consumed food is effective on the color of poop.
- Medications or Additives: For instance, commercial systems use copper sulfate during mass water-based vaccinations to ensure vaccine flow. Excessive use can turn chicken poop blue.
Furthermore, rodenticides and diseases from rodent droppings can severely impact chicken health and their poop color. Start by reviewing your bird’s diet and any rodenticide use around their living area. Carefully examine the chicken poop for form, consistency, and any foreign materials. Blood in the poop is a critical sign. This information will help identify the issue. Finally, consult a veterinarian for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
What Does Red Poop/Droppings in Poultry Mean? Is Red Color in Droppings a Sign of Blood?
If blood is seen in the droppings, it usually comes from the cloaca or the oviduct. This often happens to female poultry that have trouble laying eggs. Severe inflammation in the cloaca, ulcers, or tumors can also cause this condition. Other symptoms of this disease include straining during defecation, a grainy texture around the vent and cloaca, and a color similar to strawberries. Also, seeing orange droplets of intestinal mucus secretions in the droppings can be due to disease in the digestive tract, or due to mycotoxins and toxins in the consumed food. In general, seeing red color in chicken droppings indicates the possibility of the following diseases:
- Gastrointestinal Diseases: Necrotic enteritis (Clostridium perfringens), Salmonella Typhimurium, coccidiosis, ascarids, intestinal virus (torovirus-like virus), histomoniasis.
- Dysbacteriosis: Microbial imbalance.
- Mycotoxins: Aflatoxins, fumonisins, sterigmatocystin, ochratoxin, and undefined Penicillium toxins.
- Toxic Damage: Oxidized, spoiled fats, biogenic amines.
Also, blood in the chicken’s urine or urates (different from bloody droppings) indicates kidney dysfunction or poisoning, especially heavy metal poisoning such as lead.
What Does White Droppings Indicate in Poultry? Understanding Excess Urates and Fecal Changes
White diarrhea, also known as pasty white droppings, in poultry is predominantly associated with Pullorum disease, caused by the bacterium Salmonella pullorum. This infectious disease poses a significant threat, particularly to young chicks under three weeks of age, leading to high mortality rates. Adult birds, especially laying hens producing brown-shelled eggs, are also susceptible and may experience substantial losses. Beyond chickens, other poultry species such as turkeys, game birds, guinea fowl, sparrows, parrots, ring doves, ostriches, and peafowl can contract Salmonella pullorum infection. The primary routes of transmission include oral intake, navel/yolk infection, vertical transmission (hen to chick via the egg), and horizontal transmission (bird-to-bird, especially among young birds). Cannibalism can also contribute to disease spread. Morbidity rates typically range from 10% to 80%, while mortality can escalate to 100% in stressed or immunocompromised flocks. Although Salmonella pullorum exhibits resilience to typical climatic conditions, surviving for months, it remains vulnerable to standard disinfectants. While less common in commercial poultry operations, Pullorum disease persists in non-commercial poultry worldwide.
However, white diarrhea in poultry can stem from various other factors. Occasionally, birds with intestinal disorders may exhibit a grayish coating on their feces due to excessive mucus. When a bird develops pancreatic disease, its droppings may become bulkier and appear white to grayish (resembling popcorn). Normally, urates should be white; if they appear yellow or neon green, it could indicate hepatitis. Polyuric droppings, characterized by an excessive amount of pasty feces with white to milky urates, or droppings with isolated white urates, may indicate several conditions:
- Kidney Disease: Viral infections (infectious bronchitis), bacterial infections.
- Immune Disorders: Infectious bursal disease (Gumboro), lymphoid leukosis.
- Contaminated Feed: Mycotoxins (aflatoxin, ochratoxin) from moldy ingredients.
- Parasitic Infections: Worms, coccidiosis, toxoplasmosis.
- Drug Overuse: Excessive use of sulfa drugs or gentamicin.
- Heavy Metal Toxicity: Ingestion of non-absorbable heavy metals like zinc or lead.
- Nutritional Imbalances: Dietary imbalances such as high calcium, high vitamin D, low vitamin A, or high protein diets (especially in older hens).
- Behavioral Changes: Dehydration, excitement, stress, transportation, or overcrowding.
Why is My Chicken's Poop/Droppings Yellow and Watery?
Yellow poop by itself is not necessarily a problem. It’s usually just due to eating yellow grains. However, if the chicks’ droppings are yellow and diarrheal, you should check the following reasons one by one:
- Liver or Gallbladder Problems: The liver plays a vital role in regulating chemicals and processing toxins in the chicken’s blood. It produces bile and excretes cholesterol, hormones, and drugs. Whenever something disrupts the liver’s standard process, a yellow color change is a common consequence. In general, yellow color in poultry droppings can be caused by:
- Bacterial infections: such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Clostridium.
- Parasitic infections.
- Fungal infections.
- Viral infections: such as adenovirus, which leads to inclusion body hepatitis.
- Food poisoning.
- Vitamin A deficiency.
Bacterial and viral infections can cause the color of poultry droppings to turn yellow due to inflammation and swelling in the liver. In severe infections, the entire gallbladder turns mustard yellow.
On the other hand, if the chicken’s droppings are yellow, foamy, or greasy, the reason could be internal parasites (worms, coccidiosis), infection (bacterial or viral), a high-protein diet, or kidney dysfunction. As previously mentioned, for accurate diagnosis, other cases and changes in the flock should be carefully observed and examined. If necessary, carry out the necessary tests.
Finally, inclusion body hepatitis is a viral disease in chicks caused by adenovirus, which causes sudden death in chicks and kills 1 out of every 10 chickens in the flock.
Tarry Poop/Droppings or Melena in Poultry: What Does Black Chicken Poop Indicate?
Black chicken poop is due to the presence of “melena,” which is digested blood. In fact, melena refers to black and dark or tar-like feces related to upper gastrointestinal bleeding. This flow may occur due to the pellet binder “lignosulfonate FG,” excessive fiber in the diet, or other underlying causes. One of the reasons for melena in poultry is undigested food, which can be caused by:
- Malabsorption: The bird’s inability to absorb nutrients.
- Rapid Intestinal Transit: Rapid passage of food through the intestines, which does not allow time for digestion.
- Infections: The presence of various infections that disrupt digestion.
- Gut Microbiota Imbalance: Disruption of the balance of beneficial gut bacteria.
- Inappropriate Particle Size in the Diet: The presence of very large or very small particles in the food.
- Poisoning: Toxic substances can disrupt the function of the digestive system.
Of course, other reasons may cause black poultry droppings, such as:
- The use of drug supplements such as iron or other materials (activated charcoal).
- Sometimes, poultry droppings turn black due to the consumption of dark-colored foods such as black grapes or blueberries.
- Of course, these materials are mostly used in traditional farming systems, where the color change is usually superficial and caused by the presence of dark pigments in the feces, not digested blood.
Melena is usually accompanied by other factors. The difference between chicken melena and black droppings is in this matter. In melena, other factors such as:
- The droppings are black, tarry, sticky, and have a very bad odor.
- The consistency of the droppings is often soft or even liquid.
- It is often accompanied by other symptoms such as weakness, lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
Causes of Gray Poop/Droppings in Poultry
Gray droppings in poultry are a sign that should not be ignored. This color change often indicates digestive disorders and nutrient malabsorption. In fact, the natural color of poultry droppings is influenced by bile, which is produced by the liver. Bile plays a vital role in fat digestion and gives the droppings a greenish-brown color.
When droppings turn gray, it is likely that bile has not reached the intestines in sufficient amounts. This can be due to blocked bile ducts, liver dysfunction, or gallbladder problems. In addition, nutrient malabsorption can also lead to gray droppings. In this case, the intestines are unable to absorb essential nutrients from food, which causes a change in the color of the droppings. The presence of urates in the droppings can also affect the change in the color of the droppings to gray.
Other factors, such as improper nutrition, bacterial or viral infections, and the use of certain drugs, can also play a role in the occurrence of gray droppings. To accurately diagnose the cause of this condition, it is necessary to consult a veterinarian. The veterinarian, by examining the symptoms and performing the necessary tests, can identify the root cause and prescribe appropriate treatment. Paying attention to the hygiene of the poultry breeding environment and providing proper nutrition plays an important role in preventing this problem.
Why is my poultry's poop foamy?
Foam in poultry droppings, particularly in young chicks, can signal various digestive issues and diseases. This symptom often accompanies changes in stool consistency and color, indicating malabsorption, bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections. A common cause of foamy poop is malabsorption syndrome in young chicks, typically caused by adenovirus or reovirus. These infections inflame the intestines, disrupting their function and resulting in foamy, watery droppings.
In addition to viral infections, sudden dietary changes can also lead to foamy poop. Excessive lactose intake or other poorly digested foods in the small intestine can ferment in the cecum (the hindgut), producing gas that appears as foam in the droppings. Bacterial infections like Clostridium perfringens, coccidiosis (parasitic infection), and worm infestations can also inflame the intestines and alter droppings. In these cases, the poop may contain blood or mucus besides foam. For accurate diagnosis, consult a poultry veterinarian and conduct necessary tests.
Upon observing foamy poop in poultry, take immediate action. Isolate sick birds, ensure proper hygiene, and review their diet, avoiding unsuitable or spoiled feed. If infection symptoms like lethargy, loss of appetite, or fever appear, seek veterinary help. The veterinarian will diagnose the cause and prescribe appropriate treatment, such as antiparasitic, antibacterial, or antiviral medications. Vitamin and electrolyte supplements can also boost poultry immunity and improve digestion.
What Does an Oily Sheen on Poultry Poop/Droppings Indicate?
It is also important to check for the presence of an oily sheen on the droppings. An oily appearance in poultry droppings can be a sign of digestive problems or improper fat absorption. To check for oily chicken droppings, you can take the following steps:
- Light: Examine the droppings in sufficient light. Direct sunlight or proper artificial light can help you detect the oily sheen.
- Angle of View: Examine the droppings from different angles. Sometimes the oily sheen is only visible at a certain angle.
- Texture: Pay attention to the texture of the droppings. Oily droppings are usually softer and stickier than normal droppings.
Oily droppings in poultry can be a sign of several potential problems and diseases, including:
- Fat Malabsorption: This problem occurs when the poultry’s digestive system cannot properly absorb the fats in the feed.
- Liver Diseases: The liver plays an important role in fat digestion and absorption. Liver diseases can cause liver dysfunction and consequently oily droppings.
- Parasitic Infections: Some parasites can damage the intestinal wall and cause fat malabsorption.
- Pancreatic Problems: The pancreas produces the enzymes needed for fat digestion. Any problem with the pancreas can lead to oily droppings.
- Improper Nutrition: Excessive fat consumption in poultry feed can cause oily droppings. Feed quality problems can also have an impact.
Finally, it should be said that oily droppings may be accompanied by other symptoms, including:
- Changes in the color of the droppings (pale or yellow)
- Unpleasant odor of the droppings (sour or rotten odor)
- Lethargy and loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
Undigested Feed in Poultry Poop/Droppings: Causes and Implications
While droppings color is very useful for early disease detection, other factors such as droppings water content, bird water consumption, and overall bird health and behavior should also be considered.
Food particles in poultry droppings indicate a problem with nutrient absorption in the body. This may be due to rapid food passage through the intestines or excessively large particles. Causes of seeing feed in chicken droppings include:
- Nutrient Malabsorption: Difficulty in absorbing nutrients by the digestive system.
- Rapid Food Passage Through the Intestines: Rapid movement of food through the intestines without sufficient time for digestion.
- Infections: Gastrointestinal infections.
- Gut Microbiota Imbalance: Disruption of the balance of beneficial gut bacteria.
- Inappropriate Feed Particle Size in the Diet: Excessively large feed particles.
- Poisoning: Presence of toxins in the digestive system.
What Does a Foul Odor in Chicken Poop/Droppings Indicate?
The odor of chicken droppings can provide valuable information about flock health. However, diagnosing diseases solely based on odor is difficult and should be accompanied by other signs and symptoms. Here are some abnormal odors of chicken droppings and possible related diseases:
- Sour and Pungent Odor: Usually accompanied by watery or foamy diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, and abdominal swelling, possible diseases include:
- Bacterial infections such as salmonellosis or colibacillosis.
- Indigestion or digestive problems.
- Abnormal food fermentation in the intestines.
- Rotten and Putrid Odor: Usually accompanied by bloody or dark-colored droppings, weakness and emaciation, and anemia, possible diseases include:
- Coccidiosis (a parasitic disease).
- Necrotic enteritis (necrotizing intestinal inflammation).
- Presence of blood in the digestive tract.
- Strong Ammonia Odor: Usually accompanied by increased litter moisture, irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract, and decreased growth, possible diseases include:
- Kidney problems.
- Inadequate ventilation in the coop.
- Unbalanced diet with high protein.
- Moldy or Fungal Odor: Usually accompanied by respiratory problems, white or yellow lesions in the respiratory tract, and decreased egg production, possible diseases include:
- Aspergillosis (a fungal disease).
- Presence of mold in feed or litter.
- High humidity in the coop.
White Worms in Poultry Droppings: A Sign of Internal Parasites
The presence of white worms in poultry droppings is a clear indication of internal parasite infestation, demanding immediate veterinary intervention. These parasites can severely impact poultry health, leading to stunted growth, general weakness, chronic diarrhea, and even mortality. Various internal parasites, including roundworms (Ascarids), tapeworms (Cestodes), and threadworms (Capillaria), can infest the poultry’s intestines, feeding on their nutrients.
Parasitic infections primarily spread through contaminated water and feed, contact with infected litter, or via vector insects.
In commercial poultry operations, particularly broiler farms, strict biosecurity and management practices significantly reduce the risk of widespread parasitic outbreaks. These operations prioritize prevention, implementing measures such as regular disinfection of facilities, frequent litter replacement, scheduled deworming under veterinary supervision, and precise environmental control.
However, in backyard poultry and traditional farming systems, where birds have free access to outdoor environments and biosecurity protocols may be less stringent, parasitic infestations are more prevalent. These infestations can rapidly spread within the flock, causing severe health issues. Accurate diagnosis of the parasite species and appropriate treatment selection require consultation with a qualified veterinarian. Through clinical evaluation and specialized diagnostic testing, the veterinarian will prescribe targeted and effective treatment. Preventive and therapeutic measures include administering anthelmintic drugs, maintaining rigorous hygiene, providing proper nutrition, and controlling external parasites. Overall, internal parasite infestation in poultry is a serious concern that directly affects production and bird welfare. By adhering to biosecurity protocols, ensuring proper nutrition, and utilizing anthelmintic medications, these infestations can be effectively controlled and prevented.
How to Examine Chicken Poop/Droppings? | How to Diagnose Diseases Through Poultry Feces?
Examine the flock’s droppings once or twice daily. In the examination, pay attention to the following:
- Droppings Color: Pay attention to color changes, especially the presence of melena (digested blood) or fresh blood. Sudden changes in droppings color may indicate digestive problems or other disorders.
- Droppings Form: Changes in droppings form may also indicate a problem in the flock. Evaluate the water content of the droppings. Observe any loss of consistency, such as watery or foamy droppings. See if the droppings are normal, relatively moist, watery, or very liquid (diarrhea).
- Diarrhea: Soft and watery droppings can indicate bacterial infections, parasites, viruses, or digestive problems.
- Constipation: Can indicate dehydration, intestinal obstruction, or kidney problems.
- Diarrhea: Soft and watery droppings can indicate bacterial infections, parasites, viruses, or digestive problems.
- Droppings Volume: The volume of the bird’s droppings should match its size. More or less droppings is a sign that should be investigated.
- Oily Appearance of Droppings: Check for the presence of an oily sheen on the droppings.
- Abnormal Odor of Droppings: Detect any unusual odors associated with the droppings.
- Presence of Debris in Droppings: Note any undigested food in the droppings. For example, the presence of corn or other materials in the droppings, which causes gizzard erosion, malabsorption syndrome (MAS), and infectious stunting syndrome. In addition, droppings may contain various materials, including undigested nutritional potentials, minerals, and waste materials. Reasons for the presence of food and consumables in poultry droppings include:
- Grinding materials coarser than usual for the flock.
- Increased salt content in chicken feed.
- Poor coop ventilation.
- Presence of stress in the flock.
- Poor quality feed – use of spoiled and low-quality oil and fat.
- Occurrence of coccidiosis in the flock.
- Decrease in intestinal bacterial flora.
- Presence of fungal and viral infections.
Guide to Diagnosing Diseases from Poultry Feces
As mentioned in previous sections, diagnosing a disease requires considering several factors. The Alltech website has a PDF file that includes an analysis of poultry feces along with pictures.
In addition, the book “Poultry Health” has a section on poultry diseases that result in changes in poultry feces, along with the age of the flock and the prevalence of the disease. We have redesigned and provided the table of the guide to diagnosing diseases through poultry feces here. This book is a reliable source that we recommend to those working in this field. Finally, we strongly recommend consulting a specialist or veterinarian for final decision-making and treatment of the flock.
Article: PDF Guide to Diagnosing Diseases through Poultry Feces, Including Signs and Disease Guessing
