Bloody poop

[kyleen]

I recently got 3 new 3-4month old chickens. They all got a respiratory infection which then passed on to my old 6 month old flock (despite keeping them separate) so I've been treating both flocks with tetracycline 400. Recently I noticed in the new chick pen that there was bloody (very bloody) poop in there. One of them is shaky and the other quite tired and lethargic looking. What do I do? I don't want it to get passed on more so to my old flock and want them to get better! The breeder dos not vaccinate my new hens.

 

[kyleen]

 

[Wyorp Rock]

That much blood I would suspect Coccidiosis, treatment is with Corid which can be found at the feed store.

Corid dosage is 1 1/2 teaspoons Corid powder per gallon or 2 teaspoons of 9.6% Corid liquid per gallon.
Give for 5-7 days - make sure this is the ONLY water available during that time period. Mix a fresh batch at least once a day.

After they finish treatment offer some poultry vitamins and probiotics/plain yogurt.

 

[kyleen]

Should I stop the antibiotic they are currently on? I am assuming I cannot get both at once. But they still have their respiratory infection.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

If it is Cocci they will most likely die more quickly from that than they will a respiratory illness. If they were mine I would treat for Cocci instead.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

If it is Cocci they will most likely die more quickly from that than they will a respiratory illness. If they were mine I would treat for Cocci instead.

I agree - based on my experience, by the time you see poop that looks like that, the chicks are in bad shape and need immediate treatment. There's a thread in BYC that addresses giving tetracycline and amprolium (Corid) at the same time here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/814578/corid-and-terramycin-together.

 

[kyleen]

What is the mortality rate? Is it likely going to die?

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

I've raised many chicks and had no problems with coccidia...until this past March. The day we saw bloody poop, we began Corid treatment. They had copious, bloody poop - it was terrible to witness. Over a period of two days, despite treatment for a severe case, we lost 7 of the 13 four-week-old chicks. They'd look fine when we checked on them and a few hours later, we'd find them dead. This was my experience and I'm not suggesting it will be the case with yours...I just wanted to provide an example of what could happen, and how quickly it can progress. I think I lean a bit hypervigilant about it now.