How can I tell if its coccidiosis or worms?

[mbrown03]

I have been searching the forum for information on causes of bloody droppings for several hours now - and I am just confused! My hens are 13 weeks old - they free range - look and act very healthy - but I have started noticing bloody droppings, yesterday in fact. I found 2 this morning - out of 39 hens. One dropping was very watery and bloody - one wasn't watery - but bloody. (Yes - I have looked at the famous poo pictures

- I still think mine are abnormal.)

Other factors - I only fed one bag of medicated feed when they were chicks - then switched to unmedicated. They are on a dirt floor with pine shavings --but free range all day. We have recently been switching over to straw - my dirt is very sandy. Also - we were given a rooster that I only just found out had bloody droppings before - and was treated for worms before being given to us (though I'm not sure they confirmed a worms diagnosis). I isolated him yesterday after finding large bloody droppings, but still found the 2 under my hens this morning. They do seem to be going through more food than usual - but I thought it might be because they are getting bigger.

So my question is this - how do I know if the bloody droppings are a sign of worms or coccidiosis? There is so much conflicting advice . . . We don't have a vet in the area that will do a fecal sample - and even if I send one in to one of the places suggested - what should I do in the meantime?

I did give them yogurt with oatmeal today - they devoured it!

Thank you in advance for any advice you can give - we are new to raising chickens and everything was going so well - we ordered 39 chicks, and haven't lost one yet . . .now I'm in distress!!!

 

[pattycake]

I wouldn't freak out yet, but I would go ahead and treat them for coccidiosis -- that's the usual suspect with bloody poop --, and, why not, for worms too, since they've been in contact with a sick rooster. They're not laying yet, so it's easier now than later.

I remember my chicks went through a similar period when I first got them, with some blood-streaked droppings. I didn't treat because I couldn't find the stuff at my local farm supply, and then they slowly seemed to develop their immunity and were fine. I didn't lose any. Cocci is just a thing that's always around, and you just want to make sure your chickens develop their immunity without getting overloaded with the stuff.

Incidentally, that rooster shouldn't have been mixed in with your chicks, or even on the same soil as them, for a month or so. People have a weird tendency to give away their sick animals...

 

[mbrown03]

Thanks so much - I appreciate the calming advice! Can I treat for both (cocci and worms) at the same time? My hens are fairly large and as I said - still acting healthy.

Also - has anyone tried the all natural wormer WormGuard Plus with flax from Murray McMurray? I'm kind of an all natural/organic wannabe - that's why I'm raising my own chickens.

 

[M To The Maxx]

I was thinking the same about my chickens.

 

[eekgads]

I agree. I'd treat for coccidiosis for 2 weeks w/ amprolium. You can get it at some feed stores; look in the area for meds for cows. One of the brand names is Corid and you have to dilute it. I'd also do a worming and use straight medicated feed the 1st week & start tapering off the 2nd week.

I had the same thing w/ a batch of chicks I bought. They had bloody streaked poopies. It took around 2 wks to stop seeing any color. Whenever I bring in ANY new animals, they are isolated for 7-10 days. If they've got anything, it usually shows up by then.

As long as they're not acting sick, they should be OK.