Needing advice RE new chicks and possible Cocci

[theeks]

Hello

I'm new in here, and this is my first post, although I have been reading posts for a while.
I have recently got two lots of chicks, one lot of 4 week old chicks, 4 in total there. Then another lot from a completely different breeder who are 7 weeks.
They are all seperate at the moment.
From the first lot, when I brought them home last Friday I noticed bloody poo, since then 2 have died. All showing the same characteristics.
However the remaining 2 are absolutely fine, and aren't showing symptoms at all.
The second lot I brought home, have also had blood in their poo. But again don't seem lethargic or off their food.
My question is, does this sound like cocci? Or would they be showing other signs of sickness by the time the bloody poo began to show?
Can I really be that unlucky that both sets from different places could have it?
There hasn't been any more blood so far.
I have ordered corid and vitamins afterwards for in case.

Thanks
Katie

 

[BeachMomma]

Welcome to BYC!
It sounds like cocci. It could be possible both sets had it separately. Unfortunately it's also possible 1 set had it and the other was infected at some point.

Which Corid have you ordered and when should it be arriving? Treating Cocci is fairly easy it's just hard on their little bodies so it's great you ordered the vitaminsame too, they'll need it after the treatment wk is done. Do you already know the dosage info and how long you need to treat for?

 

[theeks]

Ooh I'm not too sure which one has been ordered, my husband ordered it online (we are in the UK) and it's due to come tomorrow along with the vitamin drops.
I'm just hoping we've got it in time, I can't bare to bury another little one.
Would every single stool be bloody or just the occasional one?
Thank you for your reply

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

Sounds like cocci. Bloody stool was the FIRST sign I noticed and started treating with Corid (amprolium). No other sign showed up because I responded so fast. But I did have a fecal float test done at the vet, just to be sure and it was confirmed.

It was just the occasional bloody stool for us. I even witnessed normal poos from everyone throughout the day.

I would treat ALL of your chicks.

Good luck!

 

[theeks]

Thanks you, that's exactly what I will be doing. Fingers crossed I've got it in time.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Ooh I'm not too sure which one has been ordered, my husband ordered it online (we are in the UK) and it's due to come tomorrow along with the vitamin drops.
I'm just hoping we've got it in time, I can't bare to bury another little one.
Would every single stool be bloody or just the occasional one?
Thank you for your reply

Amprolium is the drug name, Corid is a brand name. It works by depriving the cocci of the vitamins to slow its growth, it doesn't kill it. If you are providing vitamins you may be defeating the purpose of the medication.

Hope this helps.

 

[BeachMomma]

By which type of Corid, I meant did you order the powder or liquid. Sorry for the confusion!

With regards to the vitamins, you don't give them the vitamins until they're done with the first wk of Corid treatment. The vitamins will help boost their system back up. When you start the 2nd round of treatment, you'll stop the vitamins again. Then restart them afterwards.
Cocci is not 100% curable, it's about management and keeping an eye out for the signs like you already did

 

[theeks]

Oh sorry! I'm confusing myself with all this I think.

It's the liquid one, I have been researching and there was mention of giving an undiluted "shot" at first, along with the medicated water.
Is this what you would also recommend?
I've also bought the proper disinfectant as well to make sure everything's sterilised and clean.
I'm guessing they both came with it from two seperate breeders as I first saw the bloody stool as soon as we got home with both groups.

I've never heard of this before, I grew up on a farm and still never encountered this, must've been lucky in the past I guess.
I've wanted silkies forever, so hopefully I can get this before it takes them all.