Diarrhea in chicks

[goldeneggtees]

Hi, I have quite a dilemna regarding diarrhea in my 6-7 week old chicks.

What are the causes of Diarrhea in chicks that are very young? I have been feeding medicated chick starter for their first 6 weeks and have also given them some worms from the yard. They've also gotten low-fat yogurt and grapes. The problem is some of them have had diarrhea on and off for the past two-three weeks. I thought it was the grapes and the yogurt and have not given it to them for at least a week and a half. But the diarrhea has continued. Mind you, it's not bad, just sometimes.

I thought it was just stress that was doing it. I've been letting them out almost every evening or during the day for a jaunt pecking in the grass in our yard and always supervise them lest a hawk or neighborhood cat get them. As far I know, our yard is pesticide free.

Any ideas as to that is causing their illness? Does it have to do with stress or the food I was feeding? Any thoughts?

 

[Judy]

http://www.chat.allotment.org.uk/index.php?topic=17568.0

First of all, look here and make sure that it is really not normal poo, if you haven't already. If it's not, then I would research the intestinal worms that they can get from earthworms.

Even though the medicated starter is supposed to control cocci, it does not eliminate this problem, so it is also possible that they have cocci.

Good luck.

 

[xtremevermonter]

I found this thread that has some good thoughts on diarrhea in chicks: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=172658

 

[Glenda L Heywood]

are the chicks having any problems with
humped up in corner, shivering, drinking oly water?
bloody runny watery diarrhea?
if so they have got the coccidiosis from the ground
check and see if they have these symptoms
email me Pm for the help needed

 

[goldeneggtees]

Quote:
Hi, the chicks seem fine and healthy in every other way, besides some smelly, runny brownish, yellowy poop sometimes. Someone sent me a link to "normal" poop and it seems as if every once in awhile, chicks can have runny poops and it is not abnormal. It's just that I want to make sure they are fine. Some of them end up with it on their backs and feet sometimes. I keep their shavings new and their temporary brooder is clean for the most part (as clean as a brooder can be with 8 growing chicks).

If they are on medicated chick starter, isn't that supposed to alleviate the coccidiosis? Maybe I'll take a pic of the poo next time I see it and post it. I do believe that they had this type of poop before being allowed to go out. It just hasn't stopped like I thought it would after I stopped the treats for a few days.

 

[obe10]

i have 7 beautiful chicks (3 golden polish hens, 1 golden polish rooster, and 3 golden campine hens) but the smallest campine has diarrhea and it's sticking to her butt they have all been vaccinated for cocci. and are about 5 days old i am feeding them your standard crumbles with added grit and i am giving them "quick chik" in there water (quick chik is an added boost of energy electrolytes ext.) should i be worried?

i am wiping her butt with a warm rag a few times every day her poop is dark brown and watery is there anything more i can do? she seems fine the way she acts and all she seems strong is this normal or what ???

 

[obe10]

one more question

i am currently putting newspaper in the bottom of there box (there are in my kitchen right now lol) anyway i have heard that newspaper hurts there feet

is this true? if so what should i put down, straw? i have had a baby chick die from choking on a piece of straw before so i'm not sure if thats safe

anyone know what to do???

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
What you described as diarrhea sounds like cecal poop. You can check the link that ddawn gave you to be sure. I wouldn't overdo the grapes. In excess, they can give them diarrhea. In fact, overdoing any treats when they are young is not a good idea. They really need the complete nutrition of their chick starter. Treats should comprise no more than 10% of their daily feed intake.
Newspaper is said to contribute to spraddle leg in young chicks. You can switch to pine shavings, available in most pet depts.

 

[obe10]

thank alot

i think you are right about the poop. cecal, is it normal? this is not what there poop looks like all the time just sometimes. and do you know if straw will work as there bedding? i have some here (i use straw for my adult fowl) and it would be convenient for me. what do you think???

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Cecal poo is normal. Happens about every eight movements. I use straw in my nestboxes and have never had a problem with the girls eating it. Some folks say it can cause impacted crops if they eat it.