Switched from DuMor to Purina....now have bloody droppings

[Agnella]

Hello!
I am very new to raising chickens. My girls (Buff Orpingtons) are 13 weeks old. I switched them from DuMor to Purina a few weeks ago and have just started noticing bloody droppings.
I'm treating them for worms but, does anyone think this may have something to do with switching their feed?

Thank you!

 

[Wynette]

Hello and welcome to BYC! I don't think it could be from swtiching food - Dumor is actually made by Purina. The Purina formulation is a much better formulation, made with higher grade ingredients.

One very common ailment that causes bloody droppings is cocci - yours are a bit old for it, but it could be. You will need to treat with Corid or Sulment if you suspect cocci (it presents, typically, as lethargy at first). It's typically caused from being in moist conditions, so make sure their area is very dry.

 

[Agnella]

Thank you!

They don't seem lethargic at all. Everyone is acting normal...running scratching.....happy girls (and one boy).

I keep their area as dry as I can. Their coop is definitely dry but the run gets wet if it rains, of course.

I had a very nice lady at my local TSC suggest de-worming them and see how that goes before doing the cocci meds.

Sound good?

 

[Chris09]

Signs of Coccidiosis

• Droopy feathers
• Poor production
•Ruffled feathers
• Closed eyes
• Diarrhea
• Pale face
• Paralysis
• Blood in feces

Signs of Worms

• poor growth or decreased egg production.
• loss of appetite.
• emaciation, weakness, ruffled appearance, drooping wings.
• diarrhoea, sometimes bloodstained.
• anaemia (indicated by a pale comb).
• in extreme cases death.


Chris

 

[Agnella]

Well gosh, now I don't know what to think.

These are my first chickens so they haven't been exposed to any other chickens that may have had cocci.

They all appear to be acting normally.

I will do whatever it takes to get them healthy but I don't know which route to take.

Should I treat for cocci or worms?

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

Quote:
Agnella, it is not exposure to other chickens that puts them at risk of cocci. Cocci is:

- in the soil
- transmitted by bugs
- can be airborne
- can be transmitted by wild birds
- is worse when humidity is high
- etc, etc

Are you using a chick starter that contains Amprolium? Amprolium is a coccidiostat. If not, get one ASAP. Also, I would get Corid (liquid) and get it into their drinking water asap.

I lost 8 of 9 show quality white rocks that I waited over a year to get to cocci and I WAS feeding them a chick starter with Amprolium!! Local State Vet said that my local cocci strains might have become immune to the amprolium and I was advised to begin using Coban.

While worms are bad, cocci can be deadly and in short order.....

Personally, I think I would treat for cocci first

 

[Agnella]

Thank you Yard full o rocks.

I will go get the cocci meds right now.

You are close to me...I'm in Canton, GA.

Thank you very much!

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

Quote:
Best of luck....contact me anytime and I will be glad to help. I'm no expert but have the "been there, done that" t-shirt from a lot of issues.

BTW - you need to use the corid full strength for 5 days, then 1/2 strength 5 days then 1/3 strength 5 days per the St Vet that necropsied my dead white rocks. Use WITH medicated chick starter

Keep in touch and let me know how things go

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

BTW - you might also try giving them some plain yogurt. Cocci supposedly REALLY hurts their stomachs and yogurt is supposed to help as well as re-establish "good baterias", etc

Plus, if yours are like mine, they LOVE IT

 

[Agnella]

I just did the first Corid dose with some colostrum to help their immune systems.

Can I do the Corid at the same time as the de-wormer (Wazine)?

I wish I knew more about chickens. Their combs are not bright red, but should they be at 13 weeks? (Could be anaemia associated with worms.)

Thanks