Not sure what this is?

[krazycow6]

My 12 week old chicks sometimes have a red tinge to there poo. Looks almost like a drop of blood. This has been happening for about 5-6 weeks but not enough to really worry me. We have some sort of tree that hangs over there run and just outside where they free range sometimes. The tree has a ton of those little red wild berries that are dropping this time of year. I was wondering if maybe the berries were adding the red tinge to their poo every now and then. It never happened when they were in the brooder. No one has died nor are they lethargic. I am only asking to make sure they are okay and I am not overlooking anything important that could possibly hurt them. Oh and they are still on medicated feed. They have been since day one. Thanks ahead of time.

 

[threehorses]

Quote:
You were right to ask. But I'm going with your instincts that it's most likely the berries. That's very common.

If you worry about it, you can give them a little live-bacteria probiotics once a week. Plain unflavored yogurt works (1 tablespoon or so per bird), or acidophilis capsules/tablets emptied/crushed into some small amount of some damp mash that can be quickly eaten. Or on bread.

But I'm going with you on the berries - that's very common.

Older birds actually develop an immunity to whichever cocci species they were exposed. If they're exposed to a huge threat of them, they can still get it- but otherwise in good hygeinic conditions (and lots of nice running outside) they don't often.

 

[krazycow6]

Thanks a lot threehorses, I will take your word since you are like the chicken doctor. LOL I will not worry about it but that puts my mind at ease.

 

[threehorses]

Quote:
LOl thanks. Just watch them - let us know if you see anything different.