Is it okay to treat for cocci even if you're not sure?

[greateggspectations]

My chicks are 3 weeks old.
One had what I thought was intestinal lining shedding.
One had some watery poops yesterday but I also saw a few normal ones (not sure if it's the same chick with the shedding).
They all seem normal, active/eating/drinking.

I'm getting mixed reviews as to if I should treat for cocci.

Help please!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

My chicks are 3 weeks old.
One had what I thought was intestinal lining shedding.
One had some watery poops yesterday but I also saw a few normal ones (not sure if it's the same chick with the shedding).
They all seem normal, active/eating/drinking.

I'm getting mixed reviews as to if I should treat for cocci.

Help please!

Please post some photos of the chicks and poop.

If using Corid, then no, it won't hurt to treat for Coccidiosis if you are unsure.
Liquid Corid dose is 2tsp or Powdered Corid dose is 1 1/2 tsp per gallon of water given as the only source of drinking water for 5-7 days. Do not add any electrolytes, vitamins or other supplements to your water or feed during the course of treatment.

 

[greateggspectations]

So this was from my original post a couple of days ago...

 

[greateggspectations]

And since then one has had bright brown (if that's a thing?lol) watery poops that dry to a reddish color.

I don't have any pics of that though.

 

[greateggspectations]

And heres my chicks in their brooder.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

So this was from my original post a couple of days ago...

And since then one has had bright brown (if that's a thing?lol) watery poops that dry to a reddish color.

I don't have any pics of that though.

I see, you had 2 other threads...

What poop looks like now would be good. I agree with what Dawg53 said in your other thread, that in that particular photo it looks like intestinal shedding, but if it continues then treat for Coccidiosis.
Corid is mild and won't hurt them, even if it's not Coccidiosis.

Your brooder is way too small for those chicks. If you don't have a larger tote, then tape some boxes together to keep them corralled in.
Is your outside coop ready for them? You can always finish brooding them in the coop and secured run, just provide a heat source for them.


https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/can-you-de-worm-3-week-old-chicks.1521308/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/blood-in-3-week-old-chick-poop-help.1521181/

 

[greateggspectations]

I see, you had 2 other threads...

What poop looks like now would be good. I agree with what Dawg53 said in your other thread, that in that particular photo it looks like intestinal shedding, but if it continues then treat for Coccidiosis.
Corid is mild and won't hurt them, even if it's not Coccidiosis.

Your brooder is way too small for those chicks. If you don't have a larger tote, then tape some boxes together to keep them corralled in.
Is your outside coop ready for them? You can always finish brooding them in the coop and secured run, just provide a heat source for them.


https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/can-you-de-worm-3-week-old-chicks.1521308/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/blood-in-3-week-old-chick-poop-help.1521181/

Thanks!
I think I will treat them just in case.
So the protocol is Corid for 5-7 days without electrolytes, and then how many days of electrolytes to restore the vitamin deficiency? Are there certain electrolyte brands I should use?

Yeah I had a feeling the brooder was getting too small. No, our outdoor coop isn't ready yet. I'll have to push hubby to get on that this weekend. We thought we had like 4 more weeks before they could go outside.

With taping boxes together, how do you make a lid? All 4 can jump up to the top of the tote as it is. We have a lid for the tote out of hardware cloth framed with wood, but I don't think boxes would stand up to that.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks!
I think I will treat them just in case.
So the protocol is Corid for 5-7 days without electrolytes, and then how many days of electrolytes to restore the vitamin deficiency? Are there certain electrolyte brands I should use?

Yeah I had a feeling the brooder was getting too small. No, our outdoor coop isn't ready yet. I'll have to push hubby to get on that this weekend. We thought we had like 4 more weeks before they could go outside.

With taping boxes together, how do you make a lid? All 4 can jump up to the top of the tote as it is. We have a lid for the tote out of hardware cloth framed with wood, but I don't think boxes would stand up to that.

5-7 days of Corid water only.

I wouldn't bother with giving vitamins or electrolytes after treatment, their feed should be sufficient.
It's not a bad idea to have some vitamins or electrolytes on hand for future use, they can be used for heat stressed birds, ones that are weak, etc., but they should not be given all the time. Poultry Cell, Sav A Chick, Poultry Nutri-Drench...any of these are good to have on hand.

Not sure how you can put a lid on the boxes. I have rarely kept chicks inside for more than a week and they go outside.
For something lightweight that boxes can hold up, a frame with window screen may work, it's lighter weight than hardware cloth.
Do save your screen that goes on your tote though...it may come in handy if you need to isolate, separate or even transport a bird.

 

[maryn7]

So I have four chicks of the same age, and the same heater plate. I'm finding that while they sleep under it at naps and at night, they spend almost all the rest of the day at the other end of my 4' brooder, far away from the heat (I've got them in the laundry room).

I think you're likely seeing watery poops from them being overly warm in a plastic tote, stuck close to the heat source. One day I had the vent fully open in their room and it got up to 75; they drank a bunch of water and I got some watery poops.

As folks have pointed out, no harm in treating them with corid, but to set your mind at ease - I think you'll find happily pooping chicks when they've got more space to cool off and run around. Enlarging their brooder is going to be good for them.

As for a lid - mine are also little flying menaces. But they're pretty easily deterred. I have some bird netting draped over the top - weighed down with clothespins. The moment I lift the netting, it's a flying free for all, but they realize they can't get out with something on top and don't seem to try it. Screens, as Wyorp mentioned, or a frame with chickenwire stapled to it to set on top should be enough.

Good luck! Whether it's coccidiosis or something more benign, you've got this!

 

[greateggspectations]

Thank you both! It's so hard when you are new to something and don't know what you don't know.

I went ahead and cleaned the brooder/washed everything/added treated water to their feeder, so hopefully things will start improving.

I am picking up a large animal cage today so we can give them some roaming time outside of their brooder without compromising their safety, and we will work on getting the coop ready.