healthy chick poop

[ghardy]

Thank you, everyone! This made me feel so much better. I am now on the start of week 3 and I am more relaxed about what I see. Still seeing occasional rusty, shiny loose poop but then the same bird will have a nice regular poop. I will start to mix the med. food and non-med. food and I will change back to sand instead of the sharp grit. Thanks again!

 

[handsomecock]

*good thread*

 

[jdoane]

Hmmmm. So I am on week 3. My plan was two straight bags of medicated feed and then one more mixed 50/50 with unmedicated chick starter. Which I just finished. Then ws going to do straight unmedicated. Do you recommend I keep them on a mixture longer????

 

[handsomecock]

I got my chicks on un-medicated starter. I think I gotta get some to do the same as you. Seems right.

 

[jdoane]

Went out and got more medicated to mix in with my non medicated.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

What you all are seeing is a cecal poop. They range in color from pea greenish to a rusty brown, and consistency from sticky to loose. They happen about every 10th bowel movement or so to aid in clearing out the chickens intestinal tract. They have absolutely nothing to do with cocci and feeding medicated feed or grit is going to do absolutely nothing to get rid of them. They are normal
As far as medicated feed goes, I don't use it at all. Feed with amprollium in it works by blocking thiamine uptake, which the cocci thrive on. Thiamine, or vitamin B1, is an essential nutrient for ALL living things. Its phosphate derivatives are involved in many cellular processes, it is used in the biosynthesis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Insufficient intake in birds produces characteristic polyneuritis (damage to nerves of the peripheral nervous system- wry neck, back flips, head ticks, lethargy, loss of balance, ect). Thiamine is VERY important.
I'm not saying to quit the medicated feed altogether. If you're in a high cocci area, it will be beneficial. But, if you must feed it bring in a clump of dirt for the chick yo pick thru. This will expose them to the cocci protozoa and allow them to start building immunities (while they're on the medicated feed). Feed the bag and then get them off the medication. Some people need to feed it, I don't so I don't bother. Since I stopped using it, I have alot less of those "failure to thrive" chicks. Good luck

 

[handsomecock]

Good to know

 

[ffachick55]

Sorry for the image, but is this normal? It's her first poop and it's a blue green color...
Thank you for any help

 

[tuner06]

Hello I'm new to the chick world. what should a healthy poo look like got my chicks on sat. May 3 2014 and since I've had them I've need feed them non medicated feed should I switch to medicated

 

[lithiachick]

I mixed mine 2 to 1 with emphasis on the unmedicated. I find they occasionally have the same texture and color mentioned so no longer concerned thanks to you find folks at BYC!