Could this be coccidiosis?

[heartsandwings]

I have 6 chicks (Plymouth rocks and wyandottes) and I found this poop on their heat mat this morning. This is my third brood, and I have never had an issue with coccidiosis in any of my adult chickens, or chicks before... So I don't really know what I am doing...
I have begun adding coccidiostat to their water, but all of the chicks are eating and drinking. All poo's since have been normal so far. They have been also getting probiotics and apple cider vinegar in their chick starter. They have been vaccinated, so they don't get medicated chick starter.
They are from 7-12 days old, and the youngest one is a little more sleepy than the rest, but still gets up to eat and drink and run around.
I'm not sure which one did the poop. Is it coccidiosis?

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[azygous]

It sure looks as if it could be. It doesn't hurt to treat just in case. You are using the mixing instructions for treatment not prevention, I hope.

What were the chicks vaccinated for? The only thing medicated chick starter has in the way of "medication" is a low dose of amprolium or coccidiastat. It's not enough to prevent coccidiosis, though. It's only designed to give the chicks a shot at developing resistance.

 

[Jennifer Cappi Williams]

When I took my 2 week old chick to the vet (thinking this is what it was) because of its behavior (no blood in stool) I did ask questions about coccidiosis. (my chick actually has wry neck) and the avian vet said she recommends always using medicated chicken food to prevent coccidiosis. I had been buying organic non-medicated chick feed. So since a bird only vet recommends feeding chicks/chickens medicated feed to prevent that, I will buy it from now on. I think I will mix it with the organic feed though...

 

[Eggcessive]

It looks like blood, thus possible coccidiosis. How are the chicks acting? Chicks can still get coccidiosis, even after vaccination against it. I would continue the medicine for 5-7 days. Are you using Corid (amprollium?) Dosage is 1 1/2 tsp of Corid powder or 2 tsp of Corid liquid per gallon of water. Corid does cancel out the vaccine.

 

[rebrascora]

So since a bird only vet recommends feeding chicks/chickens medicated feed to prevent that, I will buy it from now on. I think I will mix it with the organic feed though...

Not sure if you are aware, but chickens naturally build up resistance to coccidiosis as they grow. Whilst feeding medicated chick crumb can be beneficial to preven coccidiosis, particularly to brooder raised chicks, it is not a good idea to feed it throughout the lifetime of a hen. Firstly, there may be concerns about a level of the amprolium making it's way into the eggs and secondly, it may not be beneficial in other ways due to the nature of how it works.... it is a thiamine (Vitamin B) blocker which causes the coccidia to starve.... but could potentially lead to nutritional imbalance in the chicken and other health issues as a result.
Just wanted to be clear on that as you seemed to be suggesting that you were going to continue medicated feed into adulthood.

 

[Folly's place]

If your chicks were vaccinated against Marek's disease, that's not relevant to any issues with coccidiosis. If they were 'vaccinated' with a low dose of coccidia to help them develop immunity to coccidiosis (the disease state), any amount of meds for coccidia, even for one day, prevents the coccidia 'vaccine' from working.
Bloody stools MIGHT mean coccidiosis, or something else. Nothing good.
Have your veterinarian run a fecal check, and then you will know.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

Chick started with amprolium added does NOT cause problems with the chickens!!! It damages the coccidia, not the birds.
Mary

 

[rebrascora]

Chick started with amprolium added does NOT cause problems with the chickens!!! It damages the coccidia, not the birds.
Mary

Not sure if this comment is directed at me Mary, but I think you would agree that it is not recommended to continue with medicated feed throughout the life of a chicken, which was what I was concerned that @Jennifer Cappi Williams was suggesting.... maybe I didn't phrase my post very well.

 

[Folly's place]

Very true!! It's great for six to eight weeks of age, until the chicks have been out there exposed to the home place dirt for a while.
Some people do think it causes problems with thiamin levels in chickens, and it doesn't.
If the OP mixes it with non-medicated feed, it won't be as effective for chicks, as the dosage will be wrong. And it's not enough to treat coccidiosis; for sick birds, the higher dose is needed.
I've never had issues with coccidiosis here (so far!) so I haven't been using the medicated feed. Someday I may regret this...
Mary

 

[heartsandwings]

It looks like blood, thus possible coccidiosis. How are the chicks acting? Chicks can still get coccidiosis, even after vaccination against it. I would continue the medicine for 5-7 days. Are you using Corid (amprollium?) Dosage is 1 1/2 tsp of Corid powder or 2 tsp of Corid liquid per gallon of water. Corid does cancel out the vaccine.

I was given a powder by the breeder. I don't think it is corid.
The dosage was 1/8th teaspoon/ 250ml water every 4 days for prevention, or for 7 days straight for treatment.
The chicks are still running around, eating and drinking as usual. All of their poo's after that one look healthy and normal...