Runny, Bright Yellow Poop.. cocci??

[lguth1oh]

DISCLAIMER: I'm a new chicken and duck mommy. Only had them 2 months and I switched them all to layer feed on Monday since they're about 16/17 weeks old.

I was feeding my ladies (chickens and ducks in same run/coop) and noticed on the ground a recent dropping that was bright yellow and very runny . Upon research on the internet, specifically at the Chicken Chick's blogpost about good poo vs bad poo, I freaked because it looked like the cocci one.

So I went to tracker and supply to get Corid (only had the powder... made a weak dose for the ladies since they're not cows) but when I went out to refresh their water with the corid it had dried and looked perfectly normal.

I don't want to give them unnecessary drugs... but I also don't want to delay treatment if they're ill. Does the Cocci poop usually dry to look normal??

Thanks in advance!

 

[Eggcessive]

Corid won't hurt them--it's a thiamine blocker, and many use a low dose of it to treat preventatively. The most important thing is how the chickens are acting--are they hunched, lethargic, or not eating/drinking? Those re classic signs of coccidiosis. If you see blood in droppings (not just occasional intestinal shed which is orangish and stringy) then I would treat. Here is a good article on cocci: http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/12/coccidiosis-what-backyard-chicken.html

 

[lguth1oh]

No, no blood. And this morning's poop looked more like cecal than the bright yellow so maybe I overreacted. They're acting normal (running around, chasing each other/ducks/bugs, eating and drinks... saw both this morning... for all of them) just making more noises. Not sure if that's a sign of illness or about to start laying.

Thanks for the article and reassurance! I'll continue the low dose just in case... rather be safe than sorry.

 

[lguth1oh]

Corid won't hurt them--it's a thiamine blocker, and many use a low dose of it to treat preventatively. The most important thing is how the chickens are acting--are they hunched, lethargic, or not eating/drinking? Those re classic signs of coccidiosis. If you see blood in droppings (not just occasional intestinal shed which is orangish and stringy) then I would treat. Here is a good article on cocci: http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/12/coccidiosis-what-backyard-chicken.html

No, no blood. And this morning's poop looked more like cecal than the bright yellow so maybe I overreacted. They're acting normal (running around, chasing each other/ducks/bugs, eating and drinks... saw both this morning... for all of them) just making more noises. Not sure if that's a sign of illness or about to start laying.

Thanks for the article and reassurance! I'll continue the low dose just in case... rather be safe than sorry.

 

[Outpost JWB]

One thing about coccidiosis, there is not always blood present. Only in severe cases. You are doing the right thing by following up with treatment. Like @Eggcessive said, it can't hurt.

Another point to throw out there, What did they eat prior to the strange colored poop? Mine free range and eat layer pellets and a small amount of scraps daily. One time we had a party and they got the rinds from all the leftover watermelon. The next day, their poop was runny, with red stringy spots. I about flipped and then I remembered what they ate.....

 

[lguth1oh]

One thing about coccidiosis, there is not always blood present. Only in severe cases. You are doing the right thing by following up with treatment. Like @Eggcessive said, it can't hurt.

Another point to throw out there, What did they eat prior to the strange colored poop? Mine free range and eat layer pellets and a small amount of scraps daily. One time we had a party and they got the rinds from all the leftover watermelon. The next day, their poop was runny, with red stringy spots. I about flipped and then I remembered what they ate.....

We just switched to layer feed and oyster shell, but they have meal worms, grit, and Happy Hen sunflower mix like normal. I only have 3 chickens and they live in a 14'x12' run so it's not completely free range but they definitely get bugs, grass, etc. Maybe it was that? I called home and the hubby said they're acting all normal still (so glad he can keep an eye on them when I can't).

Thanks for the reassurance!!