Chicks pooping in food. Concern, or no?

[thecatumbrella]

Surprise, surprise. My new chicks poop in their food. My last chicks pooped in their food. I try to remove it as I see it, but I obviously can't be there 24/7. Is this much of a concern from a coccidiosis standpoint, or is more poop + water? How often should I be changing out the food? Daily? They'll outgrow it eventually (though I feel the bantams will be able to stand in the feeder a lot longer, considering their size), but this is one problem I haven't been able to solve.

If someone has a feeder for tiny chicks that they can't poop in (no port feeders, too risky at this size IMO), PLEASE LET ME KNOW!

 

[Chicken_Obsesser]

@Eggcessive

 

[Ridgerunner]

Is this much of a concern from a coccidiosis standpoint, or is more poop + water? How often should I be changing out the food?

If you have coccidia in your flock they all have it. It will spread by them eating bits of poop. You can't stop that, it is just what they do. That protozoa needs dampness to multiply to the numbers that can cause a problem. It also needs time. If you change out the water or food every two days it cannot mature to the point that it starts to multiply. In small numbers exposure to that protozoa gives them immunity to that strain, I consider that a good thing.

If they have never been exposed to that protozoa they don't have it. If they don't have it then it can't multiply or get them sick. What often happens is that chicks in a brooder are not exposed to it until they are out of the brooder and on the ground. If conditions are fairly dry that is not a problem. But if the soil stays wet for a few days you can have problems.

I consider poopy water much more of a concern than poopy food.

You are right, they will stand on the feeders and waterers and poop in them if they can. Raising the feeders to their shoulder height can help reduce the exposure, mainly by stopping them from scratching as much poopy bedding into the feeders or waterers. Keeping things dry is very important. If you dump the food and especially water every two days they should not get dangerous amounts of that protozoa from the food or water. But the water especially can get pretty disgusting. I dump it at least once a day and often twice a day.

 

[thecatumbrella]

It also needs time. If you change out the water or food every two days it cannot mature to the point that it starts to multiply. In small numbers exposure to that protozoa gives them immunity to that strain, I consider that a good thing.

Thank you so much. I was hoping that the small amounts they ingest could actually kickstart their immune system. They're on medicated food as well, which will hopefully help keep things in check.

 

[Ridgerunner]

If they have been exposed the medicated feed will help reduce the number of coccidia that develop, as long as the medicine in the medicated food is Amprolium. If it is not Amprolium I can't comment.

If they have not been exposed the medicated food does no good. It doesn't do any harm either so keep using it. If they have been exposed the Amprolium medicated feed will allow them to develop immunity.

Good luck!

 

[Eggcessive]

I would try to raise up your feeder to shoulder height of the smallest chick, and adjust weekly as they grow. You can also place the feeder up on a stand similar to the product below:
https://www.premier1supplies.com/p/...IiKTG7pmrjAMVJHFHAR1yJSlGEAQYAiABEgIi2fD_BwEP

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'd pick out any bits of poop I see, but otherwise I see no real harm in them being exposed to their own poop.

Raising the feeder a bit may help, but admittedly I let my chicks sit in the feeder if they want to. Never did them any harm.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I'd pick out any bits of poop I see, but otherwise I see no real harm in them being exposed to their own poop.

Raising the feeder a bit may help, but admittedly I let my chicks sit in the feeder if they want to. Never did them any harm.

First of all, I'm a sucker for cookies-and-cream colored chicks, so that is adorable. I JUST picked up a feeder base of that style. The one I have now is similar but almost completely flat on top. It works perfectly once the chicks are too large to stand on it because they can't beak the food out, but I'm thinking I need the slanted style upfront while they're tiny.