Chick with bloody droppings - is it coccidiosis?

[GroovyFarmer]

My four-week-old chick has been having consistently bloody droppings ever since I noticed the issue yesterday. These droppings aren't like typing bloody droppings - they appear to be almost completely made out of blood. I don't think the chick has been very active lately and I think the comb might be a bit paler than it should be, though I'm not sure about both of these things. I have already separated the chick from the others in case this is a contagious disease such as coccidiosis. What is this and how should I treat it?

 

[rebrascora]

Bloody poop in chicks is almost always coccidiosis, especially when you are noticing lethargy and paleness. Amprolium is what you need and quickly. This may be marketed as Corid, possibly in the cattle section of your local feed store... I'm not sure of availability in Canada. Here in the UK I bought something called Harker's Coxoid, which is marketed for pigeons. The active ingredient is the same...Amprolium. The dilution is 1.5teaspns per gallon with the powder and 2 teaspns per gallon of the liquid and ensure that is the only water they have available. The sick chick could be given a drop of the undiluted corid liquid directly into the right side of it's mouth twice a day because it may not drink enough of the medicated water in time. I believe you treat for 5 days (someone confirm please!), changing the water for fresh each day and best to treat all chicks that are in contact with the sick one. Follow up the treatment with a vitamin supplement (particularly vitamin B complex and probiotic or fermented feed.
Good luck getting it treated in time.

 

[MilesFluffybutt]

Yes, sounds like coccidiosis. Treat with Corrid, found in the cattle section, of your nearest farm store. Treat all the chicks.

DOSAGE:
Two teaspoons liquid per gallon of water. It is okay to add electrolytes and probiotics to the mixture.

TREATMENT DURATION:
Treat for 5 to 7 days, give a 5 day break and do another 5-to-7 day treatment, regardless of how great their stool looks.

 

[rebrascora]

Do not give a vitamin B supplement whilst treating with Corid/Amprolium as you are working against yourself. Corid blocks the absorption of vitamin B1 (thiamine)....that is how it works to kill the coccidia. Follow up the treatment with the vitamins to make up for the deficit.

 

[Kiki]

The sooner you get them on Corid the better.
It can save their life.

 

[GroovyFarmer]

Unfortunately, the chick died soon after I made the first post. Shame - she was nice. Thank you for all the responses! I will be sure to treat the other chicks with corid just in case.

 

[Kiki]

Sorry for your loss.
Please be sure to treat the remainders asap so you don't lose anymore.

 

[rebrascora]

So sorry that you didn't manage to treat her in time. Hopefully you are now in a position to prevent the others fro getting sick. Coccidiosis can kill quickly, so having some amprolium on hand, just in case, is a good insurance policy. I still haven't needed to open my little bottle but it is comforting to know I have it on hand to use if such an emergency arises.