Let me understand, you got the hen, the chicken and the rooster. The rooster goes with the chicken. So, who's having sex with the hen ?
Hee.
My guess would be the cabbage leaves.
Here’s some on-line discussion that may be helpful:
Are they passing gas??
Are they logged in?
My dog and my chicks sharing kitchen scraps. When I make a 'clicking' sound, they all come a-running.
This is going to be fun!!
Its racist to only want white diarrhea.
This is just a basic observation - chicken droppings are both poop and urine - the white part is the equivalent of urine, the dark part is the poop. With diarrhea, I would guess there is little urine in the droppings, hence the largely black color.
If they are free ranging chickens it may have nothing to do with what you are feeding them. They may be getting something when they are “out and about”. Check the list of plants that are toxic to chickens to see if you have any of them growing in the area they have access to. Also make sure the water they drink is clean to make sure there is no bacteria. BTW if you just got them it may also simply be a change in diet.
Charts of good stuff and bad stuff. Good luck;)
http://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-Treats_Chart
What are your chickens’ names?
Here is an authoritative website on poultry diseases from Mississippi State University:
http://msucares.com/poultry/diseases/dissymp.htm
The Current FReepathon Pays For The Current Quarters Expenses?
You know “experience” is usually a good thing. When you’re building a house, you want an experienced carpenter. When you go in to have your gall bladder taken out, you want an experienced surgeon. But I draw the line on someone who has experience with black chicken poop.
According to Nietzsche, if the black diarrhea doesn’t kill her, it will make her stronger.
According to Darwin, if she dies, your flock will evolve towards a stronger variety.
According to Laz, it she recovers and cleans up a bit, he might jump on it.
By the way, the black poop is probably the cabbage. My chickens don’t like it, won’t eat it. It might also be the water, is it chlorinated? They will most likely adjust to it in a few days. Kind of like whenever you travel to another town and your body needs a day or two to adjust to the local water.
As someone else mentioned, Backyardchickens.com is also a good resource.
I currently have 9 Production Reds, a commercial variety of Rhode Island Red, all hens, and they've just started laying. My brother in law has Buffs and is very pleased with them, though sometimes they go "broody". You should do well with them.
Moderator, request advice on why my comment #16 was removed but several fairly disgusting pictures of chicken poop (#47)are OK. Just trying to learn for future use. Thank you.