Chick with diarrhea

[gatorrr101]

My almost three week old chick seems to have diarrhea? Any idea of what is going on? Starting to get worried this is my first patch of chickens I have had

 

[staceyj]

Welcome to BYC and I’m sorry you’re having a worrisome problem so soon.
I’d change your title to “chick with diarrhea” to get more advice on your problem.

Having said that, Its possible that your chick has coccidiosis. Cocci is an organism that is in the environment but can overwhelm a fragile chicks gut quickly.
This is potentially life threatening and should be treated aggressively.

Testing is possible, (but not necessary) by a local vet, even if they don’t treat chickens. Many will run a fecal sample for you just like they do for dogs and cats, since the organism can be seen under a microscope. The testing generally runs around $20. Generally you go ahead and treat based on the symptoms.

Have you been feeding your chicks a “medicated chick starter” or no?

Typically the additive in the chick starter, a medicine called amprollium, is enough to keep the organism load below a certain threshold, but it won’t cure a case of coccidiosis.

Diarrhea that’s worsening or bloody stools, and lethargy are the most common symptoms.

CORID is the medication you need to treat her and the rest of your chicks ASAP. You can buy it at your local feed store.

Be sure to provide fresh water and keep your brooder extra clean since the chick is shedding cocci in her excrement and exposing the other chicks to it.

 

[gatorrr101]

Thank you! If one had cocci would the other chicks have it as well?

 

[gatorrr101]

And there food hasn’t been medicated but I put apple cider vinegar in their water to help with stomach problems. I’m going to slow it down on the treats and see if that helps and just keep a eye on it.

 

[Echidne41]

New to chickens, so this might be way off, but could that be cecal poo?

 

[gatorrr101]

is it common for chicks to get it?

 

[Echidne41]

Mine did! I think it probably just happens periodically if they’re eating food. Is it smelly?

 

[gatorrr101]

Not that I can tell of yet.

 

[staceyj]

Good morning. How is your chick today? Any improvement?

I thought I’d post this for you about coccidiosis.
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/coccidiosis-what-backyard-chicken/

I would stop giving treats of any type today so you can determine whether it is in fact diarrhea.

Chicks don’t need treats at all really. Feed is precisely formulated to provide all the nutrients necessary for growth and development.

Even adult chickens don’t “need” treats, but I’ve never met a chicken who didn’t love them!
Treats shouldn’t make up more than 10% of their total diet.

@Echidne41 made a good point about cecal poops.

Are you familiar with them?
The cecum is part of the intestine of a chicken. It’s sort of like a pouch, it fills up, and is emptied out at least daily. The consistency of the poop from that location tends to be different, it’s often darker, thicker, and stickier and generally it has a VERY strong odor.

If you are feeling conflicted and have a veterinary office nearby, I urge you to call them his morning and ask if they’d run a fecal flotation test for you on your chick.
All you’d have to do is collect
some recent poo in a plastic lunch baggie and drop it off to them. You’d have an answer is less than an hour.

 

[gatorrr101]

I found two more piles like it and I think I might be smelling something now. I’m only noticing this out of one of my chicks though. I’m off tomorrow so if I notice it still going on I will try to drop it off to the vet for testing.