Seeing blood in your chicken’s droppings can be alarming However, there are several potential causes, most of which can be treated Here’s what you need to know about the common reasons for bloody chicken poop and how to address them.
Coccidiosis
The most common cause of bloody droppings in chickens is coccidiosis, a parasitic disease that attacks the intestinal tract. Coccidiosis is caused by microscopic protozoa called Eimeria that thrive in warm, humid environments.
The Eimeria oocysts shed in an infected chicken’s feces can survive in litter or soil for up to a year Other chickens ingest the oocysts while pecking and scratching In the intestine, the oocysts rupture and release parasites that damage the intestinal lining, causing bleeding.
Symptoms
- Bloody, mucus-filled droppings
- Listlessness and lethargy
- Decreased appetite
- Pale combs and wattles
- Diarrhea
- Ruffled, dull feathers
Treatment
- Oral amprolium given in drinking water for 5-7 days
- Clean and disinfect coops and runs
- Improve ventilation
Prevention
- Keep litter clean and dry
- Avoid overcrowding
- Quarantine new chickens
- Use medicated chick starter feed
- Rotate pastures if possible
Coccidiosis spreads rapidly, so treatment of the entire flock is needed. Probiotics and electrolytes can help recovery. Good sanitation and ventilation are key to prevention.
Internal Parasites
worms like roundworms, tapeworms, and capillaria can also cause bloody droppings. Heavy infestations irritate the intestinal lining.
Symptoms
- Bloody or dark tarry droppings
- Weight loss
- Lethargy and weakness
- Pale combs/wattles
- Diarrhea
Treatment
- Dewormers like ivermectin, piperazine, fenbendazole
- Repeat treatment in 2-4 weeks
Prevention
- Provide grit for digestion
- Rotate pastures
- Keep wild birds out of feed
- Clean coops and runs
Routine deworming and access to grit helps prevent buildup of worms. Prompt treatment of the entire flock is needed.
Injury/Prolapse
Physical damage to the digestive tract from an injury or prolapse can also lead to bloody droppings Causes include
- Vent pecking by other chickens
- Eating sharp objects
- Prolapse of the cloaca or oviduct
Check for any wounds, swelling, or protruding tissue around the vent. This may require isolation while it heals. Surgical intervention by a vet may be needed for recurring prolapses.
Stress
Stress from factors like extreme heat, overcrowding, or excessive handling can also irritate the digestive tract. Minor amounts of blood from broken capillaries may show up in droppings.
Improving conditions, adding probiotics and electrolytes to water, and minimizing stress can help strengthen the gut. Make sure plenty of clean water is available at all times.
Toxins
Ingesting toxic plants or chemicals can damage the intestinal lining. Blood in droppings may appear along with vomiting, diarrhea, and neurological signs.
Remove the source immediately. Activated charcoal can help bind toxins. Supportive care from a vet may be needed.
Internal Laying
In rare cases, an egg can get stuck and be laid internally, rupturing blood vessels. This leads to blood mingled with yolk in the droppings.
Surgery is required to remove internal eggs and stop the bleeding. Isolation, antibiotics, and pain relief will also be needed as the hen recovers.
When to See the Vet
While many causes of bloody droppings can be treated at home, contact your avian vet if:
- Bloody droppings continue after 5-7 days of treatment
- Significant amounts of blood are being passed
- Your hen seems extremely weak, lethargic, or unwell
- There are signs of a prolapse or vent injury
- You suspect internal laying or toxin exposure
- Your whole flock is affected
A vet can test droppings, administer fluids, provide pain relief, and offer specialized support. Catching issues early improves recovery chances.
Prevention
While the occasional speck of blood may happen, ongoing bloody droppings indicate a problem. Keep your flock healthy and reduce risks with these tips:
- Choose disease-resistant breeds
- Disinfect feeders and waters weekly
- Use only clean, dust-free bedding
- Provide apple cider vinegar and probiotics
- Quarantine new chickens 4-6 weeks
- Isolate and treat sick chickens promptly
- Follow biosecurity measures
- Avoid overcrowding
- Ventilate coops to reduce humidity
- Rotate pastures and till soil regularly
- Deter wild birds from food, water, and runs
Catching bloody droppings early and taking prompt action improves outcomes. While seeing blood in your chicken’s poop can be scary, being prepared to address common causes can help your hen recover quickly. Monitor droppings closely and contact your vet at the first sign of blood to protect your flock’s health.
How to treat coccidiosis infections in chickens
Coccidiosis spreads quickly, and the survival of poultry depends on rapid treatment.
While you should always isolate sick birds immediately to prevent the spread of disease, if one bird is ill chances are high that the whole group soon will be.
Treatment for coccodiosis is with sulfa drugs or anticoccidial drugs. Amprolium is an anticoccidial drug available without a prescription and is a fast, highly effective treatment for coccidiosis. Use caution when using Sulfamonaides also know as Sulfas. Sulfa drugs can cause a toxic overdose.
As reported in the Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences, evidence supports the use of Apple Cider Vinegar to combat coccidiosis. In short, their findings indicated:
- ACV has an anticoccidial effect in poultry
- Causes a decrease in the number of coccidial oocytes in the faeces
- Aids in lowering coccidial resistance to drug treatment
Although this study was limited, further research and studies continue. But so far, thats a great thumbs up for ACV and those backyard chicken keepers who want a more holistic approach and not to rely on drugs or commercially available medications alone. Read the full study
Coccidiosis in chickens – The Signs
All chickens naturally carry some coccidia in their intestine. Coccidia parasites in small numbers do not cause any symptoms or ill-health. However, signs of coccidiosis needing treatment include:
- Bloody or watery diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Lack of appetite
- Pale combs and wattles
- Droopy posture and wings
- Ruffled or puffed up feathers
- Droopy, dull or glazed eyes
- Poor growth in chicks
- Death
Coccidiosis usually affects:
- New chicks that dont have any immunity to the parasite yet
- Young birds
- Sick or unwell birds
- Birds that are suffering from malnutrition
- Birds suffering from high parasite loads or other stresses
Coccidiosis is unlikely to affect an average, healthy, adult chicken unless you introduce a new strain of the parasite into the chicken coop. Your hens build a resistance to the coccidia they live with over time. They have little to no resistance or immunity to newly introduced coccidia strains. It is the primary cause of a coccidiosis outbreak in the coop and is more common than you’d think.
Coccidia varies greatly between sites. So much so, that your neighbour most likely has different strains than your coop. It is because of this it is so easy to introduce new coccidia. Even dirty shoes from someone else’s coop are enough. This is why chicken coop hygiene and good practices for introducing new birds are so important.
Why Is There Blood In My Chicken’s Poop?! – Five Minute Chicken Tips!
FAQ
How do you treat blood in chickens poop?
What causes chickens to have bloody stool?
Bloody Poop
If blood is found in a chickens feces, this can be an indication that a chicken has coccidiosis. This is a serious intestinal infection that can spread to your entire flock, and can unfortunately result in death if not attended to properly (and can result in death if not attended to properly).
How to naturally treat coccidiosis in chickens?
To naturally treat coccidiosis in chickens, focus on preventative measures and supporting the flock’s immune system. This includes maintaining a clean environment, providing a balanced diet with essential nutrients, and potentially using apple cider vinegar, garlic, or herbs like oregano.
Can chickens survive coccidiosis without treatment?
Without treatment, coccidiosis can be deadly to chickens.
What causes red blood in chicken poop?
While some reddish hues in droppings are harmless, clear red blood in chicken poop is a serious concern. The most likely cause is coccidiosis, a highly contagious parasitic infection that damages the intestines. Coccidiosis leads to dehydration, malnutrition, and, if left untreated, can be fatal.
Why do chickens poop a lot?
Environmental Influences: Hot weather may lead to more watery droppings as chickens drink more water to stay cool. Cecal Poop: Occasionally, chickens pass a soft, pudding-like, and very foul-smelling poop called cecal poop. This is completely normal and happens when the ceca (part of the digestive system) empties.
What causes bloody stools in chickens?
Apart from coccidiosis, other serious causes of bloody stools in chickens include algae and bacteria. Algae poisoning can lead to organ failure, which is fatal for your chickens. Necrotic enteritis can cause perforation of the intestines and ultimately lead to death from a septic shock.
Does chicken poop indicate coccidiosis?
While you can take an educated guess as to whether or not your chicken’s poop is indicating coccidiosis, only your vet can provide certainty by performing an analysis on dropping samples. Also note, blood in poop is not necessarily always a symptom, so also look out for:
Why does my chicken poop look brown & red?
However, don’t get this confused with caecal droppings chickens shed naturally that is also brown/red in colour. While you can take an educated guess as to whether or not your chicken’s poop is indicating coccidiosis, only your vet can provide certainty by performing an analysis on dropping samples.
Why is my chicken poop black?
However, if your chickens have not eaten dark-colored food, black stool can indicate internal bleeding in the upper digestive tract. The black color suggests that the blood has had time to coagulate, meaning the bleeding is happening higher up in the digestive system. By contrast, fresh red blood in stool usually comes from the lower intestines.