chick poo

[jools22]

I have just bought two 7 week old leghorn chicks and one of them has blood in its poo. What could be the cause of this

 

[JPF92788]

probably cocci, were they on medicated feed?

 

[jools22]

I rang the person i got them from and she said the had been immunised agains cocci. So she is going to make a few calls and get back to me. Could it be change of diet? And would yogurt help?

 

[rughooker]

Quote:

I found a tiny pile of chicken poo with blood in it , but I have 7 peeps together and don't know who did it. They are 3 weeks old and were vaccinated and are on medicated starter. Will I have to treat each one? So far, I've seen just one pile.

 

[numamahen]

Look here:

http://www.chat.allotment.org.uk/index.php?topic=17568.0

http://dlhunicorn.conforums.com/index.c … 1158478320

I have found these "poo" picture to be helpful... I hope it falls into the normal category. I am dealing with cocci right now & let me tell you, it was a loose pile of very dark slimy bloody poo. If you can I would separate out the sick one.

As for telling who is doing it, I have spent way too much time in the last 4 days following my hens around watching who may be the culprits!! Good luck! Also if you clean things - use ammonia and not bleach or pinesol as cocci isn't affected by those.

 

[rughooker]

Quote:
What causes cocci and how is it treated?

 

[numamahen]

It's a parasite that gets in part of the intestinal tract and treating is done with several drugs. However, there are varying views. The biggest thing from what I read is that cocci easily becomes drug resistant. So you want to make certain what you use you do so properly and clear up the problem.


here is one article: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/oct96/coccidia1096.htm

and another:
http://www.millerhatcheries.com/Information/Diseases/coccidiosis.htm

How do birds become infected?
Normally, most birds pass small numbers of oocysts in their droppings without apparent ill effects. Coccidiosis becomes important as a disease when animals live, or are reared, under conditions that permit the build-up of infective oocysts in the environment. The intensive rearing of domestic chickens may provide these conditions.

Young chickens pick up the infection from contaminated premises (soil, houses, utensils, etc.). These may have been contaminated previously by other young infected birds or by adult birds that have recovered from the condition. Wet areas around water fountains are a source of infection. Oocysts remain viable in litter for many months. In this way they can contaminate a farm from year to year. Oocysts are killed by freezing, extreme dryness and high temperatures.

How do coccidia harm chickens?
Several factors influence the severity of infection. Some of these are:

*The number of oocysts eaten. Generally, an increase in the number of oocysts eaten is accompanied by an increase in the severity of the disease.
*Strain of coccidia. Different strains of a species may vary in pathogenicity.
*Environmental factors affecting the survival of the oocysts.
*Site of development within the host. Coccidia that develop superficially are less pathogenic than those that develop deeper.
*Age of the bird. Young birds are generally more susceptible than older ones.
*Nutritional status of the host. Poorly fed birds are more susceptible.

Coccidiosis in chickens is generally classified as either intestinal or cecal. Most serious cases of intestinal coccidiosis in Alberta are caused by E. necatrix. Cecal coccidiosis is due to E. tenella. Coccidiosis occurs most frequently in young birds. Old birds are generally immune as a result of prior infection. Severe damage to the ceca and small intestine accompany the development of the coccidia. Broilers and layers are more commonly infected, but broiler breeders and turkey and pheasant poults are also affected. Coccidiosis generally occurs more frequently during warmer (May to September) than colder months (October to April) of the year. E. acervulina and E. maxima develop in epithelial cells within the small intestine and generally cause chronic intestinal coccidiosis.