Super stinky poop in 2 1/2 week old chicks?

[rguerra75]

We have 3 chicks that are 2 1/2 weeks old--1 of them has very solid, almost dry looking poops. The other 2 have very watery, dark brown, very stinky poop. Like super stinky dog poop. It doesn't look bloody to me. We have been holding them on our laps with a towel under them, and when I use a wipe to clean in up, it just looks like a thin brown smear.

They were vaccinated for Mareks and have been on medicated feed.

Looking for suggestions, things to look out for, etc.

Thanks!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Are their abdomens bloated (thinking E coli)?

They are also susceptible to coccidiosis at that age.

If they were mine I would run antibiotics through them and also some Corid for good measure.

But I can't advise you to do the same since I don't know what the problem is, and I unfortunately don't know which antibiotic I would use either. They sell antibiotics at the feed store for poultry, and the Corid is in the cattle section.

Some vets will do a fecal test for cocci/bacteria for a fee if you bring the poo (check costs by calling ahead if interested).

Sorry this post doesn't help you much but sometimes it helps just to know someone cares! I hope they get better soon!

Medicated feed doesn't stop all cases of coccidiosis- here is a link on it
http://www.clemson.edu/public/lph/ahp/disease_links/images/coccidia.pdf

http://msucares.com/poultry/diseases/diseases.html
e coli link

I have never seen brown smelly diarrhea in chicks that age. I would definitely treat them with something- or at least get the poo tested.

 

[rguerra75]

They doesn't seem bloated. They are very active and seem to always be eating and drinking...

We do have an avian vet in the area I can call...we are due for a large snow tonight, and ti will cripple our area for days.

I do have liquid Corid (we have a mixed aged outdoor flock, have had then about 2 years now and we needed it once.) any idea how much I would put in 1 qt?

Does anyone know if feeding them medicated feed and giving them Corid can be a problem?

Thanks!!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

They doesn't seem bloated. They are very active and seem to always be eating and drinking...

We do have an avian vet in the area I can call...we are due for a large snow tonight, and ti will cripple our area for days.

I do have liquid Corid (we have a mixed aged outdoor flock, have had then about 2 years now and we needed it once.) any idea how much I would put in 1 qt?

Does anyone know if feeding them medicated feed and giving them Corid can be a problem?

Thanks!!

I would definitely call a vet if you can- it is always best to get them involved if possible and you can afford it. If you do try the Corid, that diarrhea should be improved vastly or GONE in 24 hours if that was the problem from my experience.

For Corid I always use 9.5 ml per gallon of water of the 9.6% solution, for 5 days, and I mix a new solution daily. Personally I would not worry about the medicated feed plus treatment as it is in very low levels in the feed (may be another medication in there, not amprolium as well). But that is a personal choice, as always.

Please remember that I don't know what is wrong with your itty bitties but since it is diarrhea of a sort, I am thinking that trying the Corid may be better than nothing if you are snowed in. But if it is a bacterial problem Corid will not help.

 

[rguerra75]

Thanks--and I understand, I won't blame you I just appreciate the thoughts!

I just added Corid to their water--fingers crossed! I went and looked up the meds in the feed and it is amprolium. So, I feel better about that.

I am in the Raleigh area in NC. We are supposed to get 8-11" tonight....and in this area schools often end up closed for a week for 1 inch if the temps stay cold. No joke. So I will be stuck for a while...I might be able to call a vet, but won't be able to get out of the house for days.

I'll update tomorrow.

Thanks again,

Raquel

 

[LPeaslee]

We have 3 chicks that are  2 1/2 weeks old--1 of them has very solid, almost dry looking poops.  The other 2 have very watery, dark brown, very stinky poop.  Like super stinky dog poop.  It doesn't look bloody to me.  We have been holding them on our laps with a towel under them, and when I use a wipe to clean in up, it just looks like a thin brown smear.

They were vaccinated for Mareks and have been on medicated feed.

Looking for suggestions, things to look out for, etc.

Thanks!

It's likely just cecal poop and quite normal. About 1 out of every 10 poops will be cecal poop and it is the most foul-smelling stuff.

 

[PhoenixPharm]

I have the same thing happening and its probably just cecal poop