At home fecal matter testing. Do you own a microscope?

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kuntrygirl

kuntrygirl

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
11 Years
Feb 20, 2008
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Opelousas, Louisiana
Is there anyone who has the equipment (microscope, glass slides, etc.) who tests their chickens fecal matter for worms, tests blood, etc.? If so, how is that working for you and is it easy to learn what to look for?

If not, if you had the equipment, knowledge and know-how, would you do it yourself?

How much does it cost to take samples to your vet?
 
I've looked into it before, but was a bit discouraged by the cost of a decent microscope and supplies. However, it's something I may do in the future so I can more easily monitor the health of my flock. I found a good article online about how to read the samples, but it's been awhile, so can't remember where I found it.
 
I borrowed a microscope from my school for the summer. I have the flotation solution, the test tubes and rack. The slides are in my desk at work, because I forgot them yesterday. I had originally started this to test for worms in my goats. I had a cheap microscope but it was really hard to use so I decided to borrow one before buying a better one.

I hate worming anything that doesn't have worms. I went to a goat education day and they offered a class on how to do fecals. I bought all my supplies at the class, except the slides, which I also got from school. If it works I will buy a box of slides and cover slips.


Here are some directions that I found for the DIY. It is pretty easy, but you have to have a decent microscope, one with a light, not just a mirror.

http://www.kakariki.net/ftopict-59.html
 
I posted an ad on Craigslist asking for a FREE microscope and I was 100% certain that I WOULD NOT get any responses. Well lo and behold 4 people responded to my ad and they were all willing to give me their microscope. Well, now I have in my possession a VERY high tech microscope. I do not have the slides, so I will have to purchase all of the accessories.

The learning and researching is about to begin. I have been looking and researching the internet for articles, pictures or anything that will help me in my journey in taking fecal samples from my chickens and testing for worms. I think this will be very interesting. I don't know how successful I will be but it's a start and I'm at least trying to do what I feel will benefit my chickens and myself.
 
kuntrygirl said:
Thanks for posting this link. I have goat as well and this info will help me with him as well.
Click to expand...

nnbreeder said:
This deals with goats but it is a very good guide on doing fecal float tests.

http://www.luresext.edu/goats/library/fec.html
Click to expand...

babsbag said:
I borrowed a microscope from my school for the summer. I have the flotation solution, the test tubes and rack. The slides are in my desk at work, because I forgot them yesterday. I had originally started this to test for worms in my goats. I had a cheap microscope but it was really hard to use so I decided to borrow one before buying a better one.

I hate worming anything that doesn't have worms. I went to a goat education day and they offered a class on how to do fecals. I bought all my supplies at the class, except the slides, which I also got from school. If it works I will buy a box of slides and cover slips.


Here are some directions that I found for the DIY. It is pretty easy, but you have to have a decent microscope, one with a light, not just a mirror.

http://www.kakariki.net/ftopict-59.html
Click to expand...

How did performing your own fecal floats work for you all? I have been thinking that this would be very useful and less expensive than the 15-20$ that our vet charges per float. And we also have goats to consider as well. Thank you for your feed back.
CarolinaSkies
 
It's interesting that I stumbled across this thread today. Yesterday I was looking at CL for a used microscope just for this purpose. A couple of years ago I was interested in doing my own fecal counts and wrote this byc page on what I learned in my research. I'd really like to get set up for this. If anyone else has done this, please share.
 

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