This study aimed to characterize the physical and chemical properties of chicken droppings (n = 73), collected at various age periods and classified visually as normal (N) or abnormal (A). Significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of texture, pH, dry matter (DM), fatty acids (FAs), short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and volatile compounds (VCs) (p ≤ 0.05). Chicken age significantly influenced color parameters, texture, pH, DM, and SCFA content in both N and A droppings, as well as FA content in N droppings (p ≤ 0.05). Compared with abnormal droppings, normal droppings consistently had a firmer texture, lower a* and b* color values, higher DM, higher linoleic acid, and lower α-linolenic acid across all age periods (p ≤ 0.05). Acetic acid was the predominant SCFA, with lower concentrations in N droppings than in A droppings. Alcohol and organic acids were more abundant in most A droppings, whereas ketones were the dominant volatile compounds in both groups. Overall, the majority of dropping characteristics were affected by age. While several traits differentiated N from A droppings, a larger sample size is needed to better establish characteristic distribution patterns across different droppings.
