Raspy Chicks/Blood? In stool

[RobinS1217]

Hello! I’m hoping someone might have insight for my chicks. They’re almost 9 weeks now and I’ve started to see pink/red mucous streaks in their droppings some of which are loose but still contain white cap. I’m noticing more now that they are pretty raspy sounding when they talk. There are 16 of them I can’t possibly figure out how many or who the problems are coming from. I’ve given them Vet RX drops in their water for a few weeks. Any insight? Can attach photos of stool in the morning once I get a fresh batch of night dropping. We dispose of them daily.

 

[coach723]

Pictures of the droppings would be helpful, it may just be some intestinal lining, a small amount of that occasionally may be nothing to worry about. If any were acting lethargic, not eating or drinking well, sitting puffed up, looking off, that would be more indication of possible coccidiosis, and in that case I would start treatment right away. The raspiness may just be their voices starting to change, age for that can vary some from breed to breed. If you can get a video of the sounds (you would need to post on another host, like youtube, and put the link here so it can be seen) that might answer that.

 

[RobinS1217]

Pictures of the droppings would be helpful, it may just be some intestinal lining, a small amount of that occasionally may be nothing to worry about. If any were acting lethargic, not eating or drinking well, sitting puffed up, looking off, that would be more indication of possible coccidiosis, and in that case I would start treatment right away. The raspiness may just be their voices starting to change, age for that can vary some from breed to breed. If you can get a video of the sounds (you would need to post on another host, like youtube, and put the link here so it can be seen) that might answer that.

Here is a video of one of most odd sounding chicks!

Also, 3 separate photos of the “blood” I’m seeing in stools. These were the most obvious.

 

[coach723]

Looks like intestinal shed. As long as everyone is acting normally, eating, drinking etc, I would just watch. If it gets a lot worse, or if anyone is acting off at all, then I would treat for coccidiosis, the treatment is very safe. Alternately you could take a mixed sample of some of those fresh droppings in to have a fecal done, they will look for coccidia and other internal parasites. Coccidiosis sometimes presents with blood, which will generally look very red and bloody, but sometimes it's just runny, mucousy droppings, usually with the behavior changes I listed. What little I could hear on the video sounded like normal voice changing, getting their big chicken voice. Sometimes that happens and you don't really notice, some of them can sound pretty raspy and awful for a bit when it starts.

 

[RobinS1217]

Looks like intestinal shed. As long as everyone is acting normally, eating, drinking etc, I would just watch. If it gets a lot worse, or if anyone is acting off at all, then I would treat for coccidiosis, the treatment is very safe. Alternately you could take a mixed sample of some of those fresh droppings in to have a fecal done, they will look for coccidia and other internal parasites. Coccidiosis sometimes presents with blood, which will generally look very red and bloody, but sometimes it's just runny, mucousy droppings, usually with the behavior changes I listed. What little I could hear on the video sounded like normal voice changing, getting their big chicken voice. Sometimes that happens and you don't really notice, some of them can sound pretty raspy and awful for a bit when it starts.

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond with your insight. I do not see any other symptoms. They all peck around on dress grass from 7:30-8:30 daily, I change their water 3x day because they like to stand on top of waterer and poop in it they have a perching stick they use some and the 16 of them go through 2 lbs of organic chick starter daily. Some of them were vaccinated by hatchery upon birth but I’m not sure WHICH were or weren’t. I do have the powdered treatment on hand. If I start to see decline I may administer. Unfortunately the vets I have found near by that treat chickens charge 2 kidneys just for evaluation not even treatment.

 

[coach723]

That seems to be a common issue with vets. Used to be that some were willing to do a simple fecal for you, some people are still fortunate to have a vet that will, but many insist on an exam also. There were also some mail in options, those seem to be disappearing as well. Corid is very safe, so if in doubt I would treat. It sounds like they are doing fine however. Keeping the waterers and feeders clean and free of droppings is a good way to help prevent spread of many things that can cause health issues. Raising them up to back height with concrete blocks or other sturdy stands can help a lot. A large funnel placed upside down on top can help discourage them from sitting on top. Raising the feeders can help some with the flinging around of feed, and reduce the waste some. They will always be messy though.