They're picking up roundworms.
You probably want the insides of your poultry to be free of any tubular, three-lipped parasites feeding on blood, defecating and reproducing with copulatory spicules -- until the fowls' intestines are clogged. Even though most birds (and people) can live with worms and remain symptom free, roundworms can possibly damage the intestines of poultry and even prove fatal.
How Poultry Get Roundworms
Roundworms live in the soil; poultry often eat feed directly off of the soil and thus can ingest soil laden with roundworms. Poultry also often eat earthworms which are commonly infested with roundworms. Further, once a bird has become a host of the parasite, roundworms can spread quickly across the coop through the feces of the infected bird. Roundworm eggs are present in the droppings of an infected bird and those droppings will be found where the birds graze.
Symptoms of Roundworm
The egg production of infected birds can diminish; and the eggs that are produced may have discolored yolks. Young birds, which display symptoms more commonly than mature birds, can stop gaining weight, and mature birds may begin to lose weight. Diarrhea is a common symptom. Birds with diarrhea can be spotted by the feces stuck in their feathers around their anus. Roundworm infestations can cause feathers to turn dark and can also cause the color of combs and wattles to fade.
Treatment
Piperazine (Wazine) is an over-the-counter worm medicine. This is an easy way to treat an entire flock, as it is mixed in with the flock's drinking water. Ivermectin is a prescription drug that may be needed if the infestations are severe. This is given to birds individually, either topically or orally. The birds will, more than likely, need to undergo two to three rounds of medication -- the medicines only kill adult roundworms and roundworm larvae that escape the first round of medication can be killed when they mature with subsequent doses.
Prevention
Worm your flock at least once a year. Since you have to wait two weeks before eating the eggs of treated birds, consider doing this in the fall or spring, when egg production is waning anyway. To keep your birds from ingesting fecal matter, don't feed them on the ground; but use feeders instead. You should also consider deepening the litter in your coop. This will keep any feces better covered. Finally, clean the coop often.
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