Poopy Chickens

[ninnymary]

I've noticed that when I give my chickens greens from the garden that they have watery stools. So I try to limit it to a small amount a couple times a week. The rest of the time they are on their layer feed.

I now have an opportunity to get greens/produce from a grocery store but I'm afraid that they will constantly have running poops. Do you think they will adjust to eating more greens and won't have such a stomache problem? It sure would cut down on my feed costs if they could eat more greens and things from the produce dept.

Your opinions?

Mary

 

[so lucky]

They maybe shouldn't eat all you are going to have access to, but *some* every day would be good. The rest could be composted, if you have to take "all or nothing." I would think not more than a small handful for each chicken.

 

[Just-Moxie]

I just give mine a whole bucket full of greens .......some are runny poops...some are not. I just watch them. Nobody has had any detrimental side effects so far. I feel the greens benefits outweigh the poopy side effects.

 

[ninnymary]

moxies, I agree with you on the benefits of the greens. It's just that I scrape their board every day and it's not nice when it's stinky water!

Mary

 

[ducks4you]

Do you offer them grit free choice? My birds get grit and their poop doesn't change in consistency bc they are "chewing up" the greens I give them.

 

[Just-Moxie]

Ahhh..well, there ya go. I use the KISS method of keeping chickens. No poop boards and deep litter. I scrape things to the floor....if they build up. Then, after while.....I use the push broom to push it all under the roosts. Yes, they splat inside the coop. But it dries. They also splat outside in their run. I just take note of who is splatting...but nothing has ever come of it.
I only had to worry when I had some cockerels who were roosting on the short roosts above the nest box. I got splatted once.


On the grit......they get oyster shells. They also have a huge run.....32x30x30. They dig up all sorts of grit in there... The birds I have processed have had plenty of grit in their gizzards. Nobody has ever had sour crop either. I don't chop up, nor blend up, nor cook foods.....nothing. Take what I have...and toss it in the run. I just have to be careful I don't fall down in there...they would eat me...

 

[ninnymary]

Ewww Moxies, you got spatted on! Well, I must confess, one time I was scraping towards me and guess what. I learned not to do that again!

so lucky, they do have their grit and oster shell dishes.

Moxies, be careful you don't fall into that hole!

Mary

 

[Nyboy]

I just give mine a whole bucket full of greens .......some are runny poops...some are not. I just watch them. Nobody has had any detrimental side effects so far. I feel the greens benefits outweigh the poopy side effects.

I would free range my girls every day after work. They would eat all the greens they wanted in the yard.

 

[Just-Moxie]

Mine were free ranging till the hawks moved in. Then the grass and bug supply dropped off due to November. I have the forage planted in the gardens out in an open area. They just will NOT forage where the hawks can pick them off. Even when I am out there with them.

 

[897tgigvib]

Do some kinds of greens make them poop wetter than other kinds?