Chick diarrhea

[Ekemp]

Hello, I apologize, I feel like I'm posting a question here nearly every day! I just want to make sure my little ladies have the best chance.

I noticed today that there were some diarrhea poops in the brooder. I have 7 chicks, and have had a hard time determining who it is. I have seen 2 have diarrhea, but it's not every time they poop. It's light brown and very runny- to the point that one pooped on the brooder plate and another slipped in it before I had a chance to wipe it up.

Chicks are 2 weeks today and not vaccinated, but have had medicated starter feed since day 1. They received Chick Boost for the first two days, but only plain clean water since. No one seems lethargic, and they are all eating and drinking and running around. I started providing grit for the first time today, because I am hoping to start exposing them to dirt in a couple of days.

I guess my question is- is occasional diarrhea normal or do I need to jump to concerns of coccidiosis? Should I treat the whole flock as a precaution or do I need to wait until there are more indicators than occasional diarrhea?

Thank you all for your knowledge!!

 

[nuthatched]

That's Cecal poop, it's normal.

 

[Ekemp]

That's Cecal poop, it's normal.

Really? I always thought Cecal was more creamy than liquid?

 

[nuthatched]

Really? I always thought Cecal was more creamy than liquid?

It can vary, especially in babies

 

[JnAP]

It can vary, especially in babies

I also have a question regarding runny chick poop. A couple of mine have very similar poop, but not quite as runny, more like a pudding consistency, but same color as the OP's pic. It smells terrible, too. Is that also cecal poop? Mine are 5 weeks old now. I've only seen 2 or 3 of my 8 make that kind of poop, but it seems like they do that one every time.

 

[nuthatched]

I also have a question regarding runny chick poop. A couple of mine have very similar poop, but not quite as runny, more like a pudding consistency, but same color as the OP's pic. It smells terrible, too. Is that also cecal poop? Mine are 5 weeks old now. I've only seen 2 or 3 of my 8 make that kind of poop, but it seems like they do that one every time.

Are they acting normal?

 

[JnAP]

Are they acting normal?

Yes, completely normal. Eating, drinking, playing, and chirping!

 

[dawg53]

I also have a question regarding runny chick poop. A couple of mine have very similar poop, but not quite as runny, more like a pudding consistency, but same color as the OP's pic. It smells terrible, too. Is that also cecal poop? Mine are 5 weeks old now. I've only seen 2 or 3 of my 8 make that kind of poop, but it seems like they do that one every time.

Yep, definitely cecal poop and is normal. It occurs about every 8-10 droppings.

 

[JnAP]

Yep, definitely cecal poop and is normal. It occurs about every 8-10 droppings.

Thank you!

 

[lynx04]

Yep, definitely cecal poop and is normal. It occurs about every 8-10 droppings.

I'm having the same issue with my 6-week-old Midnight Majesty Maran chick. Since I got her, she ALWAYS has poop on her feet, and today she did this poop right in front of me. It was very liquid and "shot" out of her.

I have a total of eight chicks (four Americaunas and four Midnight Majesty Marans). I don't see this in any of the other chicks, and other than this issue, she's very active, energetic, and eats well. All of my chicks are that way, although two of the Americaunas seem to be late bloomers. They still aren't fully feathered and are significantly smaller than the other birds. They are growing, however, and are happy and energetic as well, so I am not sure what's going on there.