Is this coccidiocis?

[Ceebee123]

I found these 3 poops today. My flock consists of 3, 10 week old and 3, 7 week old buff orpingtons. I just wormed everyone with safegard for goats. .25 mls for 3 days....im pretty frustrated. I just want to have healthy happy hens I don't even care about the eggs at this point. I feel like im always worried about something. I free range them on my half acre lawn. I took them off chick starter and put them on regular feed a couple days ago. I give them watermelon sometimes. They have crushed limestone on the floor of their coop.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Stop the watermelon ... Why'd you worm them? Did they have worms?
Get some Corid Oral 9.6% to mix with water for everyone.

@Wyorp Rock @dawg53 Could you please post the dose mixture.
My notes say ... 1.5 - 2 tsp/gal, 5 - 7 days, then give vitamins or probiotics (plain yogurt)

 

[azygous]

I think what you're seeing is the result of the watermelon partying. Bits of pulp will typically show up in poop just as any cellulose food material does. In addition to that, the high water content of the melon will make for some watery poop, especially if it's hot and the chicks are drinking a lot on top of everything.

If your chicks ever do get coccidiosis, they will be acting lethargic and won't feel like eating.

Speaking of eating, you mentioned limestone bedding in your coop. Are you aware that limestone is water soluble (digestible), and chickens will likely consume it as they search for grit? And that there is a risk that at a young age, without any over-riding need for extra calcium for egg production, that they run the risk if kidney damage over the long haul if they consume too much calcium carbonate?

I recommend replacing the limestone with regular construction sand instead.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Thank you @azygous

 

[Eggcessive]

Looks like blood and clots in the poop. I would get Corid started right away in the water, and give also a couple of drops (0.1 ml per pound ) of the undiluted Corid orally twice a day to give a jumpstart. Mix Corid liquid 10 ml or 2 tsp per gallon of water for 7 days. When multiple ages are mixed together it is more likely that coccidiosis can be a problem with younger ones.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I found these 3 poops today. My flock consists of 3, 10 week old and 3, 7 week old buff orpingtons. I just wormed everyone with safegard for goats. .25 mls for 3 days....im pretty frustrated. I just want to have healthy happy hens I don't even care about the eggs at this point. I feel like im always worried about something. I free range them on my half acre lawn. I took them off chick starter and put them on regular feed a couple days ago. I give them watermelon sometimes. They have crushed limestone on the floor of their coop.

Hi @Ceebee123
You mention you are frustrated - what has been going on that is distressing you?

How long have you been seeing poops like that?
Personally I would treat for Coccidiosis. That does not look like watermelon to me.
Do you have any Corid?
Corid dosage is 1 1/2 teaspoons Corid powder or 2 teaspoons of 9.6% Corid liquid per gallon of water.
Give for 5-7 days - make sure this is the ONLY water available during that time period. Mix a fresh batch at least once a day.

I would also put them back on chick starter - not sure what "regular feed" is but at 7 and 10 weeks, the chicks need to be on starter. Layer feed is for actively laying pullets/hens.

 

[azygous]

There is a way to verify blood in the stool. Drop some peroxide on the red part. If it fizzes it's blood. While photos on the internet can be deceptive, a chemical reaction in real time is conclusive.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

There is a way to verify blood in the stool. Drop some peroxide on the red part. If it fizzes it's blood. While photos on the internet can be deceptive, a chemical reaction in real time is conclusive.

Carol, let's discuss this a bit further....I do agree if you put Peroxide on blood it's going to fizz. But. Peroxide will fizz when it comes into contact with blood, bacteria, cells, etc.
https://www.thoughtco.com/how-hydrogen-peroxide-bubbles-work-608410

So I did a little experiment just to see what would make it fizz. I got some dried poop from the hen house and a scraper of fresher overnight poop from the chick grow out. Both fizzed, even a couple of soiled shavings fizzed. So, I don't think that Peroxide should be the only "test". If the OP is unsure, then seeking vet care is best.

I didn't think to take a before photo of the henhouse poop, but I've pointed out the fizz - this was very DRY poop I found under the nesting boxes so it was not "fresh". The other on the scraper is from this morning - before/after peroxide.

 

[azygous]

Okay. I will have to admit my theory about the peroxide as a test for blood is faulty. Probably my peroxide was old and weak. It was not a controlled scientific experiment. Thanks for taking the trouble to run your own tests and to share them.

It's always best to get the fecal float test if you want to know for sure if you're dealing with coccidiosis. It's readily available to most people who can locate a cooperative vet.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Corid treatment won't hurt ...