Coccidiosis identification help!

[cmlew99]

Hello! I'm the owner of three hens, and just found a solitary, reddish/purplish poop in their run. Please tell me it's not coccidiosis!! All three are healthy looking, alert, great appetites, full, bright combs. I do know they snacked on some berries in the woods last night when I let them out. Let me know what you think:

 

[cmlew99]

Please help!

 

[Eggcessive]

How old are your chickens? Do they seem to be eating, drinking, alert, and active? That is bloody, so I would check first thing in the morning for any further bloody stools. If any are acting sluggish or hunched, or if you see more blood, then I would go buy some Corid powder or liquid, and start them on a 5 day course for reatment of possible coccidiosis. Dosage is 2 tsp of the liquid, or 1.5 tsp of the powder per gallon of water, changed daily. Other causes for blood in the stool can be capillaria worms or enteritis. A collection of stool samples that are fresh can be tested by your vet for cocci, worms, or bacteria.

 

[cmlew99]

My chickens are all one year old, active, healthy appetites, drinking- they appear to be in good health! I'm going on a school field trip in the morning and won't be back until Sunday, so I'm in a bit of a panic. Is it possible that it could be colored from the berries they ate? Do you think if there aren't any more in the morning I'm in the clear? Thank you so much for responding!

 

[cmlew99]

@Eggcessive is that Corid (aprolium) 20% for cattle?

 

[casportpony]

@Eggcessive is that Corid (aprolium) 20% for cattle?

Yes, it's the cattle stuff. One can also use AmproMed or Amprol.

-Kathy

 

[Lady of McCamley]

You've received solid advice that I agree totally with.

Just in follow up, yes berries can make for odd stools if they are eating a lot of it. I agree that stool looks very suspicious. Try to see if there is berry color mixed in the solid, with bits of berries of the same color. That could indicate it might be berry related. The only way to know for certain is to take it in for culture.

If in doubt, there is no harm in treating for Coccidiosis with Corid or Sulmet or even medicated chick feed, in a pinch. The stronger liquid drugs are necessary if you have a known or obvious symptoms of an outbreak, but the mediated feed can ward off an outbreak if you catch it early enough, with the first subtle signs, and remain on the medicated feed long enough (at least several weeks if not a month). Once you see true bloody poo, or lethargy, it is time to hit the liquid meds vigilantly. The first signs of coccidiosis is lethargic, slumped, rumpled appearance

I would have someone checking on them in your absence. Coccidiosis builds rapidly and birds can go downhill very quickly. There is unfortunately a narrow window of effective treatment before a bird becomes too ill to save.



LofMc

 

[cmlew99]

Okay, so there is absolutely no bloody stools underneath the roost this morning. I'm having my mum check in on them again tonight. The plan is if anyone looks a little funny or there are more suspicious droppings we will treat with Corid powder