Need help with chicks with potential Coccidia

[rascal66]

I have about 30 chicks in my barn and just yesterday I noticed poop that seemed a little bloody. Sure enough i confirmed it to be bloody poop today. (Im used to seeing intestinal shedded poop).

I have Corid and will start, but can someone help me confirm dosage? And would it help at all to feed medicated chick starter even though they might already have coccidia?

*I should note* I'm not sure exactly which chick has these symptoms. Am I okay to treat all the chicks?

Thanks,

(Sorry was unable to get pics.)

 

[azygous]

Yes, treat all chicks. Medicated feed is useless in treating coccidiosis. Liquid Corid is mixed 2 teaspoons into one gallon of fresh water. Mix a new batch each day for five days. Wait a week and do another five day round.

 

[rascal66]

Yes, treat all chicks. Medicated feed is useless in treating coccidiosis. Liquid Corid is mixed 2 teaspoons into one gallon of fresh water. Mix a new batch each day for five days. Wait a week and do another five day round.

Great, I'm on the right track. Thank you.

Also, when you say mix a new batch, meaning a new batch of a gallon plus the 2 teaspoons? I can't store it? (Although I'll probably go through it by tomorrow anyways)

 

[azygous]

No, it does not store. Bacteria will grow in it. You can mix a quart at a time if that's all the chicks will require in a day. I think it breaks down to a quarter teaspoon per quart of water. Please check my math, though.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

No, it does not store. Bacteria will grow in it. You can mix a quart at a time if that's all the chicks will require in a day. I think it breaks down to a quarter teaspoon per quart of water. Please check my math, though.

No, @azygous, it would work out to one-half teaspoon per quart.

 

[azygous]

My brain on math isn't pretty. Good you double checked.

 

[rascal66]

Thank you for the help.

How soon will I see results? So far I'm still seeing some bloody poops. I'm hoping by day 3 or 4 it will be more normal?

 

[azygous]

Coccidiosis isn't cut and dried. If you catch it early before the coccidia burrow into the intestinal lining, you might expect immediate improvement.

Once you notice blood in the stools, that indicates that the coccidia are starting to erode the intestinal lining, and that could open up the opportunity for aggressive bacteria to colonize the intestines. That can sometimes lead to irreversible damage called necrotic enteritis. A chicken can recover with the help of an antibiotic, but often the damage leads to death.

For this reason, I strongly recommend using a sulfa drug along with the Corid if you've seen any blood in the stools, and especially if the chicken appears lethargic. You can get sulfa here. https://www.revivalanimal.com/product/fish-sulfa-forte?sku=22156-174

 

[rascal66]

Coccidiosis isn't cut and dried. If you catch it early before the coccidia burrow into the intestinal lining, you might expect immediate improvement.

Once you notice blood in the stools, that indicates that the coccidia are starting to erode the intestinal lining, and that could open up the opportunity for aggressive bacteria to colonize the intestines. That can sometimes lead to irreversible damage called necrotic enteritis. A chicken can recover with the help of an antibiotic, but often the damage leads to death.

For this reason, I strongly recommend using a sulfa drug along with the Corid if you've seen any blood in the stools, and especially if the chicken appears lethargic. You can get sulfa here. https://www.revivalanimal.com/product/fish-sulfa-forte?sku=22156-174

I want to say there are at least 2 / 3 chicks that have blood in the poop but no one except for one is seeming on the lethargic side. I'll definitely look into this. Is there a specific dosage for the chicks?

 

[azygous]

I would drop a tablet into the drinking water you mixed with the Corid. Do this each day with a fresh batch of water and Corid. If the chicks are showing solid improvement, you can skip the sulfa when doing the second round of Corid.

Others more experienced in medications for poultry such as @casportpony may have a different recommendation for the sulfa-forte and dosage for chicks. I welcome being corrected if I'm off track here.