Blood in droppings

[happyhen]

I'm a new mom to 16 RIR chicks that are nearly 3 weeks old. I feed grit with a non medicated starter feed as recommmended by the hatchery.

All are active and eating and drinking well, and growing too fast for me (lol).

When I just checked on the wee ones, I saw a funny dropping, solid and normal looking with a spot of red (blood?) on it. After checking all bottoms I can't find the culprit, but all seem healthy and happy.

Should I worry or just wait and see. Not much sleep for me tonight!

 

[rooster-red]

Blood in the droppings usually indicates Cocci.

 

[silkiechicken]

Keep a very very close eye on them. If they start slowing down or you start seeing blood in the poo, get all the chicks on medication for cocciodisis ASAP. It kills fast and can do it within days if you do indeed have it. Amprol or sulmet will work at this age and if you go the unmedicated route, always a good drug to have on hand. It is a thamine blocker which inhibits the growth of cocci in the intestines.

Where are you brooding them? If they are inside and have not had any contact with soil, dirt, bugs, or worms outside, and it's just one dropping that has blood, it may be a fluke as cocci is found in the soil. Slow exposure to the local bugs is the best way to build up immunities.

 

[happyhen]

silkiechicken,

They are in my guest room, in a dog crate, and have never been exposed to soil or bugs.

They seem perfect this morning with no more suspect droppings in the litter, but I'll be at the store when it opens to get some amprol, just in case.

Thanks for the help.