Is this normal?

[sarahcouling]

Is this a normal poop? 8 week old chick.

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. There looks to be some stringy intestinal lining shed in that loose dropping. How do the chicks look and act? Is there any puffing up or hunching, or lack of appetite? You can give them a 5 day treatment of Corid (amprollium) in their water if you think coccidiosis may be a problem. If I saw blood in any more droppings, I would definitely treat. All chicks have coccidia in their gut from the soil, and at that age they are building immunity to it, but too much can cause an infection. Here is some reading for you:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/12/coccidiosis-what-backyard-chicken.html
http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/health-and-common-diseases/coccidiosis/index.aspx

 

[sarahcouling]

Thanks very much. I have got Harkers Coxoid in my first aid kit, is it the same thing? I haven't seen any other irregular droppings but I am on the look out. The have lots of fresh herbs and also garlic and apple vinegar in their water. I hope it's nothing, but wanted to be safe than sorry. I don't really want to treat them if they don't need it...

 

[Eggcessive]

Yes, Coxoid is another brand of amprollium that is used to treat coccidia. Be aware that the ACV and herbs can be upsetting to the GI tract in young chicks if there is an intestinal illness, so you may want to skip those for a week or two until the droppings look better. Poultry vitamins and probiotics are much better to promote immunity and the beneficial gut bacteria, and it would be good to use just after Coxoid treatment (but not at the same time.)

 

[casportpony]

Here are some close ups of the poop:






-Kathy