Blue Chicken Poop (Causes + What to Do)

Blue is the world’s favorite color, but besides the sky and the ocean, it isn’t a color you often see in nature. That’s probably why blue chicken poop is such as shock – the first time I saw blue chicken poop, I definitely did a double-take.

Blue poop might look concerning, but it’s not always a reason to panic. Like green chicken poop, it can be caused by a variety of things, but only some are a problem.

What Does Blue Chicken Poop Mean? Should I Be Concerned? (The Short Answer)

If you see a chicken pooping blue feces, it’s almost always a result of something they ate. Lots of blueberries, for example, may cause blue poop. However, if blue poop is accompanied by other symptoms, it could be a problem. There are a number of home remedies you can try; but if they don’t work, it’s time for a trip to the vet.

2 Possible Reasons for Blue Chicken Poop

I haven’t seen blue chicken poop more than a few times in all the years I’ve raised chickens. It’s pretty rare, and when it does occur, it’s probably due to diet or a sickness.

Your Chicken Ate Something Blue

Diet is the most likely cause of blue chicken poop, especially if your chicken doesn’t appear to be sick. Your chicken probably overate on something that turned its poop blue. Some foods that could do this are:

• Blueberries, blackberries, currants, or other berries: The color of the berries, especially in large quantities, can affect the color of a chicken’s poop. This typically happens with dark purple berries.
• Red cabbage: Similar to berries, red cabbage can cause poop to turn a bright blue or teal color.
• Seeds: If your chicken has access to a lot of seeds, it could overeat on those and have blue poop as a result.
• Charcoal: Charcoal is actually beneficial to chickens in small quantities, but too much of it will cause bluish or black poop.
• High-protein foods like chicken treats: Too much protein in treats may cause bluish black or clear poop.

Your Chicken Is Sick

Blue or any other abnormal kind of poop may be a sign of sickness. Gut bacteria, internal bleeding, or gut inflammation may cause blue chicken poop. Sometimes these problems can be resolved with a simple home remedy. However, have a vet diagnose your chicken if it doesn’t get better.

What to Do If You See Blue Chicken Poop (4 Ideas)

If you find blue chicken poop in your chicken coop or run, it’s a good idea to try to find out why. Here are the steps I take when I see abnormal poop.

Eliminate or Reduce Blue Foods

If you want to make sure the poop is getting its color from foods, try reducing chickens’ intake of those foods. I’ve found this to be a very effective way of determining whether colored poop is a result of diet.

However, if you know that your chickens are eating a lot of berries, diet is almost certainly causing the blue chicken poop. Especially if it’s inconvenient, don’t feel like you have to change your chickens’ diet just to make sure. It’s almost certainly not a reason to worry.

Watch for Other Signs and Symptoms

If you’re seeing other signs and symptoms, it’s time to get a little more serious. Keep an eye on the chicken poop – if you’re seeing watery poop, bloody poop, or tar-like poop, something else is likely wrong. Blue or bluish-black chicken poop could be a sign of gut bacteria, worms, internal bleeding, or gut inflammation.

Try Home Remedies

I typically try home remedies before spending money on an appointment with the vet. I’ve found a few solutions that often clear up problems after a few days.

• Simply wait for a couple of days. Sometimes abnormal poop is a result of something toxic a chicken ate, and it might just pass through their system. Blue poop could also occur when you change chickens’ diets, whether you’re switching feed brands or adding greens to their meals.
• Help your birds hydrate and give them electrolytes. Just like when we get sick, it’s important for chickens to drink lots of water if they’re not feeling well. You can encourage chickens to drink by dipping their beaks in the water or feeding them watery foods like lettuce and fruit. Electrolytes also might help if your chickens are struggling with dehydration.
• Put some vinegar in your chicken’s water. Your chicken could be suffering from harmful stomach bacteria or inflammation of the gut lining. In that case, diluted vinegar might help. Mix about a teaspoon of vinegar with a half-gallon of water and give it to your chickens two to three days a month. Note that vinegar can be dangerous for chickens’ throats and digestive systems, so don’t overdo it.
• Administer a multi-vitamin. A variety of water-soluble chicken supplements are available. Try one to help chickens recover from minor illnesses.

Talk to a Poultry Expert

It’s time to talk to a professional if the sickness appears to be contagious or symptoms persist for more than a week or so. Separate sick birds from the rest. Let your vet know exactly what symptoms your chickens are experiencing. Also, showing them a few pictures of the blue poop will help them diagnose what’s going on.